Manchester City's Club World Cup title defence ended in a stunning 4-3 extra-time defeat to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal in Orlando on Monday, while Inter Milan were eliminated 2-0 by Brazilian team Fluminense in Charlotte, creating two major upsets in the tournament's last 16 round.
Al Hilal, achieving one of Middle Eastern football's greatest results, will now face Fluminense in the quarter-finals in Orlando on Friday.
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Despite winning all three group matches including a victory over Juventus, City fell short against an Al Hilal team featuring several former European league players at the Camping World Stadium.
City took an early lead through Bernardo Silva's close-range finish after nine minutes, but Marcos Leonardo equalised in the second half.
Former Barcelona player Malcom put Al Hilal ahead after receiving a through ball from Joao Cancelo.
Erling Haaland scored to level the match for City and nearly scored again with a shot cleared off the line before the game went to extra time.
Kalidou Koulibaly scored from a corner in the 94th minute, followed by Phil Foden's equaliser ten minutes later.
Leonardo sealed the victory for Al Hilal in the 112th minute, converting a rebound after Ederson saved Sergej Milinkovic-Savic's header.
"We knew that it was a difficult game against one of the best teams in the world -- we wanted to show our ideas, our talents, our power," said Al Hilal's Kalidou Koulibaly.
"Unfortunately we can't continue in the competition so we have to learn and keep moving forward," Guardiola said. "Al Hilal don't just run, they have a lot of quality, we created a lot with wingers but they are a complete team... I have a big, big opinion of Al Hilal but I (also) think we had a good game to be honest."
In the other match, Fluminense secured their quarter-final spot with German Cano scoring an early header against Inter Milan.
Substitute Hercules added a late goal for Fluminense, while Inter hit the woodwork twice through Lautaro Martinez and Federico Dimarco.
Fluminense joined fellow Brazilian side Palmeiras in the quarter-finals, continuing Brazilian teams' success against European opposition in the tournament.
"We knew they were not going to be easy opponents. Less than a month ago they were playing the Champions League final, but we played really well," said Fluminense captain Thiago Silva.
"This is a very important victory for our fans, for all of Brazil, for my country, for South America," said Jhon Arias, who was named man of the match.
Inter Milan, who lost 5-0 to PSG in the Champions League final, had recently appointed Cristian Chivu to replace departing manager Simone Inzaghi.
"I want to fight for the major trophies, (so) anyone who wants to stay at Inter, fine, let's fight, but anyone who doesn't want to stay can leave," said Inter captain Martinez. "We need players who want to be here. We're wearing an important shirt... we need a top-level mentality, or please leave."
Al Hilal, achieving one of Middle Eastern football's greatest results, will now face Fluminense in the quarter-finals in Orlando on Friday.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
Despite winning all three group matches including a victory over Juventus, City fell short against an Al Hilal team featuring several former European league players at the Camping World Stadium.
Just one more #FIFACWC Quarter-Final to decide… pic.twitter.com/xSXVl0tBVr
— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) July 1, 2025
City took an early lead through Bernardo Silva's close-range finish after nine minutes, but Marcos Leonardo equalised in the second half.
Former Barcelona player Malcom put Al Hilal ahead after receiving a through ball from Joao Cancelo.
Erling Haaland scored to level the match for City and nearly scored again with a shot cleared off the line before the game went to extra time.
Kalidou Koulibaly scored from a corner in the 94th minute, followed by Phil Foden's equaliser ten minutes later.
Leonardo sealed the victory for Al Hilal in the 112th minute, converting a rebound after Ederson saved Sergej Milinkovic-Savic's header.
6/8. ✅#FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/cbNZfIsOKI
— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) July 1, 2025
"We knew that it was a difficult game against one of the best teams in the world -- we wanted to show our ideas, our talents, our power," said Al Hilal's Kalidou Koulibaly.
"Unfortunately we can't continue in the competition so we have to learn and keep moving forward," Guardiola said. "Al Hilal don't just run, they have a lot of quality, we created a lot with wingers but they are a complete team... I have a big, big opinion of Al Hilal but I (also) think we had a good game to be honest."
MENINO DA VILA!!!!! 🥶
— Brasil Football 🇧🇷 (@BrasilEdition) July 1, 2025
Marcos Leonardo scores a brace against City to send Al Hilal to the quarter finals.
They will face Fluminense! 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/w7NBW8zJ4c
In the other match, Fluminense secured their quarter-final spot with German Cano scoring an early header against Inter Milan.
Substitute Hercules added a late goal for Fluminense, while Inter hit the woodwork twice through Lautaro Martinez and Federico Dimarco.
Fluminense joined fellow Brazilian side Palmeiras in the quarter-finals, continuing Brazilian teams' success against European opposition in the tournament.
"We knew they were not going to be easy opponents. Less than a month ago they were playing the Champions League final, but we played really well," said Fluminense captain Thiago Silva.
40-year-old Thiago Silva captained his boyhood club Fluminense to a historic victory and clean sheet over Inter Milan.
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 30, 2025
And he was loving it 🙌 pic.twitter.com/H7IDM5ixJX
"This is a very important victory for our fans, for all of Brazil, for my country, for South America," said Jhon Arias, who was named man of the match.
Inter Milan, who lost 5-0 to PSG in the Champions League final, had recently appointed Cristian Chivu to replace departing manager Simone Inzaghi.
"I want to fight for the major trophies, (so) anyone who wants to stay at Inter, fine, let's fight, but anyone who doesn't want to stay can leave," said Inter captain Martinez. "We need players who want to be here. We're wearing an important shirt... we need a top-level mentality, or please leave."
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