ORLANDO – Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal pulled off a sensational 4-3 victory over Premier League giants Manchester City in a dramatic Club World Cup Round of 16 clash on Monday, booking a spot in the quarter-finals against Brazil’s Fluminense.

Marcos Leonardo emerged as the hero for the Saudi Pro League side, scoring a decisive second goal in the 112th minute to seal the upset at Camping World Stadium in Florida.

City, considered strong favourites, started brightly with Bernardo Silva netting in the 9th minute after a defensive miscue handed him the ball inside the six-yard box. Despite appeals from Al Hilal over a handball in the buildup, the goal stood.

Al Hilal responded emphatically in the second half. Within seconds of the restart, Malcom’s cross rebounded into the air after a save from Ederson, allowing Leonardo to nod home the equaliser. Just six minutes later, Malcom himself beat the offside trap and calmly slotted in a second to give the Saudis a 2-1 lead.

City hit back through Erling Haaland, who converted a Silva corner in the 55th minute. The match remained locked at 2-2 until extra time.

In the 94th minute, Kalidou Koulibaly rose to meet Ruben Neves’ corner, heading in to restore Al Hilal’s advantage. Phil Foden replied for City with a sublime volley following a clever assist from Rayan Cherki, making it 3-3.

But the final word belonged to Al Hilal. After Ederson parried a header from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Leonardo reacted quickest, stumbling but managing to poke in the winner with just seven minutes left.

“We knew we were facing one of the best in the world,” said Koulibaly. “But we stuck to our plan and made our chances count. Defensively and offensively, we gave it everything.”

Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was another standout for Al Hilal, making crucial stops throughout the first half to keep City from extending their early lead.

Despite City’s attacking firepower and repeated comebacks, Al Hilal’s resilience and clinical finishing proved decisive on a historic night for the Riyadh-based club.