Manchester City, one of the top soccer teams in Europe, had high hopes of ending their season with a big trophy. They were competing in the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where top teams from around the world play to find out who’s the best.
But things didn’t go the way they hoped.
On Monday, Manchester City was knocked out of the tournament by Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal in a dramatic 4-3 loss in extra time. It was a tough blow for City, who had looked strong in earlier matches, scoring 13 goals and winning all their group games. However, this defeat brings an early end to their season—and it wasn’t their best one.
What is the Club World Cup?
The FIFA Club World Cup is a tournament where the best club teams from different continents compete. For example, the Champions League winner from Europe, the Copa Libertadores winner from South America, and top teams from Asia, Africa, North America, and Oceania all take part.
This year’s tournament was expanded to include more teams and was held in the United States. That meant more travel and more matches for clubs already dealing with long seasons.
Manchester City joined the tournament as Europe’s representative, having won the UEFA Champions League in 2023. But after their loss to Al Hilal, they head home earlier than expected.
A Disappointing Season Overall
City’s trip to the U.S. came after a season that didn’t go as planned. In England, they didn’t win the Premier League—which they had dominated for the past few years. In Europe, they also fell short of expectations, not making it to the Champions League final this time around.
Despite these setbacks, there were some positive signs. New players like Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Aït-Nouri, and Rayan Cherki showed good potential during the tournament.
Still, losing to Al Hilal was a big letdown. The match ended 3-3 in regular time and went into extra time (when teams play 30 more minutes to try to break the tie). Al Hilal scored the winner and sent City packing.
What Did the Players Say?
After the match, Bernardo Silva, one of City’s star midfielders, spoke about the team’s disappointment.
“No one wanted to lose. We’re very used to not having breaks because of the crazy schedule,” Silva told reporters. “But we take every competition seriously. We really wanted to win this Club World Cup.”
This match was City’s 61st game since last August! That’s a lot of soccer—more than one game a week for almost an entire year. Many players are tired, and even their manager Pep Guardiola admitted before the game that the schedule is difficult.
“Maybe in December or January it will be a disaster. We are exhausted,” Guardiola said. “The World Cup has destroyed us.”
So while losing hurts, having more than six weeks to rest before their next game might actually help City in the long run.
Rest Before the New Season
Manchester City’s next match is not until August 16, when they’ll start their Premier League season against Wolverhampton Wanderers. That gives them over six weeks to rest, recover, and prepare.
One player who especially needs that time is Rodri, their star midfielder. Rodri missed much of the season due to injury and was slowly returning to action. He came off the bench against Al Hilal but was taken off again in extra time because he wasn’t feeling right.
“We have to see how Rodri is,” Guardiola said after the match. “He felt good, but later complained.”
What Happens Next in the Club World Cup?
Even though City is out, the tournament continues. Al Hilal now advances to the semi-finals, where they will face Fluminense, a club from Brazil.
About Al Hilal
Al Hilal is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
They are one of the most successful clubs in Asia, with multiple AFC Champions League titles.
The team is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which has a lot of money from oil resources.
They’ve been signing big-name players from Europe to improve their squad.
Before this tournament, they hired Simone Inzaghi, a former Inter Milan coach. Some people thought his post-match comments were a little dramatic when he said his team had to “climb Everest without oxygen” to win. But the win was definitely impressive!
About Fluminense
Fluminense is a top team from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
They qualified by winning the 2023 Copa Libertadores, South America’s top club competition.
Their defense is led by Thiago Silva, a 40-year-old veteran who used to play for Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.
One of their best attackers is Jhon Arias, a speedy Colombian winger.
Brazilian clubs have done well in this tournament in recent years. Many people thought it would be the European giants who dominated, but now it looks like teams from Brazil and Saudi Arabia are leading the way.
Money Still Matters
Even though Manchester City lost, they still go home with around $40 million in prize money for playing in the Club World Cup. That’s a nice reward, even if they didn’t lift the trophy.
And their early exit means that at least one of the final four teams will not be from Europe—something that didn’t happen very often in past editions of the Club World Cup.
Fun Soccer Facts
The FIFA Club World Cup began in 2000. Real Madrid has won it the most (5 times).
The Premier League season usually runs from August to May each year.
In extra time, teams play 30 more minutes after a tied game. If the score is still level, it goes to penalty kicks.
Rest and recovery are super important for pro athletes. Playing too many matches without breaks can lead to injuries and poor performance.
Final Thoughts
Manchester City’s season ended in a way they didn’t expect. But sometimes losing gives a team the time and motivation to come back even stronger. They’ll now look to recover and try again in the upcoming Premier League and Champions League seasons.
Meanwhile, Al Hilal and Fluminense will battle it out in the semis, showing that soccer is no longer ruled by Europe alone. The world is catching up—and fast.
Let’s see who takes home the trophy!
