Manchester City's run in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 came to an abrupt end after a 4-3 extra-time defeat to Al-Hilal in Orlando. Despite entering the tournament as favorites, having won the 2022/23 Champions League, City struggled to assert dominance against a determined Al-Hilal side. The loss marks a significant setback for Pep Guardiola's team, ending their hopes of securing international silverware this season.

The match at Camping World Stadium was a rollercoaster. Bernardo Silva opened the scoring early for City, but Al-Hilal responded with two goals in quick succession in the second half. Erling Haaland equalized, sending the game into extra time, where Al-Hilal ultimately clinched the victory. Al-Hilal's goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, proved to be a major obstacle for City, making several crucial saves throughout the match.

Following the defeat, Pep Guardiola expressed his gratitude to his players and staff for their efforts during the tournament. "It's a pity," Guardiola said. "We were in such a good place and I cannot say thank you enough to the staff, how they train and prepare, they have given everything". He acknowledged the difficulty of the game and praised Al-Hilal's performance. "At this stage, they are all difficult games," he noted. "We allowed them to create transitions but we created a lot and in general we were good".

Guardiola also reflected on the positive aspects of City's participation in the Club World Cup. "I saw many good things that I didn't see in the past, especially how we were, the relations between the players and the staff," he stated. Despite the disappointing result, Guardiola emphasized the team's commitment and the valuable experience gained during the tournament.

The loss to Al-Hilal means Manchester City will exit the FIFA Club World Cup at the Round of 16 stage. The team will now take a break before returning to training at the City Football Academy to prepare for the 2025/26 domestic season. Guardiola stressed the importance of rest and mental refreshment before the new season begins. "I have the feeling that the team is doing well but we go home and now time to rest and refresh our mind and come back next season," he said.

For Al-Hilal, the victory is a historic achievement, propelling them into the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup where they will face Fluminense. The Saudi Arabian side's performance has been hailed as one of the greatest wins in Middle Eastern football history.