Simone Inzaghi created a sensation with Al-Hilal. © APA/afp / PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA

Inzaghi defeats Pep: The next big surprise

Pep Guardiola briefly congratulated his overjoyed coaching colleague Simone Inzaghi on the sensational victory, then the Spanish star coach of Manchester City fled into the stadium catacombs.

July 01, 2025

From: dpa/dl

"It's a real shame, we were so well-positioned," said a disappointed Guardiola later, who described it as a "difficult game." The huge underdog Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia caused a real sensation in the round of 16 at the Club World Cup in the USA in a thrilling football thriller.

The team from the capital Riyadh surprisingly defeated Guardiola's star-studded team, including striker Erling Haaland, 4-3 after extra time in Orlando. "I feel like the team is playing well, but we're going home, and now it's time to rest, recharge, and come back next season," Guardiola said, adding: "We allowed them to create moments on the counter-attack, but we created a lot ourselves and were good overall."

Before the match: An embrace between Simone Inzaghi and Pep Guardiola. © APA/afp / CHANDAN KHANNA

But Al-Hilal's outstanding striker Marcos Leonardo became the match-winner with his second goal in the 112th minute. Substitute Phil Foden (104th minute) had previously equalized Al-Hilal's initial lead in extra time through Kalidou Koulibaly (94th minute). The Camping World Stadium was buzzing, and the crowd was enthusiastic.

“Great day for Saudi football”

"We wanted to show our skills against one of the best teams in the world," said the 34-year-old Coulibaly, who, like many Hilal players, previously played in Europe, including in England for Chelsea FC: "We wanted to show that Al-Hilal has a lot of talent and that we deserve to be here at the Club World Cup." It was a big day for Saudi football.

Erling Haaland failed with Man City. © APA/afp / PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA

Al-Hilal now meets in the quarter-finals on Fluminense from Brazil, who had beaten Champions League finalists Inter 2-0 hours earlier on the underdogs' big day.

In regular time, Bernardo Silva (9th) and Haaland (55th) scored for Man City, who had clearly dominated the first half. However, Marcos Leonardo (46th) and Malcom (52nd) turned the game around in just seven minutes after the break. Goalkeeper Bono had previously kept Hilal in the game.

Inzaghi's coup

Al-Hilal's victory is also the work of new coach Simone Inzaghi, who moved to Saudi Arabia after Inter Milan's 0-5 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final at the end of May. The 49-year-old Italian will now face Fluminense, rather than his former club, in the next round. An underdog is therefore certain to make the semifinals.