Al Hilal stuns the soccer universe by showing the heart of a champion

When Monday night's Round of 16 matchup took place between Al Hilal and Manchester City, live and free on DAZN, many soccer fans were expecting a Manchester City victory and a berth in the quarterfinals.

The notion didn't come to fruition. Al Hilal came back from an early deficit to stun Manchester City with a 4-3 victory in extra time from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. The shocking victory puts Al Hilal in the quarterfinals on Friday when they square off against Fluminense. 

Here are the key talking points coming from Al Hilal vs. Manchester City.

• Read more | 2025 FIFA Club World Cup fixtures: Schedule, kick-off times and results for every club

Al Hilal vs. Manchester City Match Highlights

Al Hilal With The Hearts Of Champions

It would have been easy for Al Hilal to pack it in and play not to lose after Bernardo Silva scored at the 9' mark to give Manchester City an early 1-0 lead. The team from England had been in cruise control during the first three games of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, going undefeated. But the team from Saudi Arabia didn't give up. Yassine Bounou kept making big save after big save, making six in the first half to keep it to one goal. 

Then Al Hilal turned it in and kicked it into high gear by scoring two goals in the first seven minutes of the second half. They could have gotten dejected when Erling Haaland scored in the 55' mark to even the score. However, Al Hilal continued to hustle, give 110 percent, and that proved to be the difference in winning the game in extra time.

People say talent wins games. You need more than that. Al Hilal showed grit, heart, and determination, and that was enough to spring the upset as they continue their run into the final eight. 

Why Was Erling Haaland Benched?

When extra time began, Haaland wasn't on the field. The question running through people's minds is why? Did he get injured? 

As of this writing, no one from the Manchester City side, including neither Coach Pep Guardiola nor Haaland, is talking. It wasn't like Haaland played a bad game up to that point. He scored in the 55' and had been a difference maker on the pitch. 

It's hard to understand why Guardiola would have one of, if not his best player out there in a game of this significance. Would having Haaland out there have changed the result?

You would rather have the guy who scored 301 goals before his 25th birthday out on the field instead of sitting on the bench.

Watch every game of the 2025 Club World Cup live and free on DAZN. More information and to sign up to a free account here.