Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was left to remedy the inability of his party to take advantage of a large number of chances in the first half, because the Premier League side suffered a shock removal from the club World Cup against the Saudi Arabia Al-Hilal on Monday.
Marcos Leonardo scored twice, including the 112nd minute winner, because the outfit-based outfit won 4-3 in Extra Time in Orlando with the first half of goalkeeper Yassine Bounou who proves crucial in the victory of Al-Hilal.
«The level in this competition is a world cup,» said Guardiola, who led City to the title of the World Cup club in 2023. «The only regret I have is that we have allowed them a little more than expected.
«Against a team that defended so deeply, the wing players have been brilliant. The opportunities we had in many, many departments. Bounou has made many saves and you have to score, you have to be clinical.»
City had taken a ninth minute ahead by Bernardo Silva, but a series of rescues from Bounou in what remained from the opening for 45 minutes kept the Saudis contrary. Leonardo and Malcom scored within the first six minutes of the second half to turn the tables on the Guardiola side before Erling Haaland was leveled in the 55th minute and took the match in extra time.
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The header of Kalidou Koulibaly placed Al-Hilal in the front, only for Phil Foden to be the same for City, and Leonardo finally killed the Premier League side for eight minutes from the end of extra time.
Al-Hilal takes the victory to a quarter-final meeting with the Fluminense of Brazil while the city returns to England.
«We would like to continue, it’s not easy to be here every four years,» said Guardiola.
«The team still has that feeling that the team is doing well. But we are going home and now it’s time to rest, freshen up our mind and come back for next season.»
