By Daily Sports Nigeria on July 1, 2025

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has praised his team’s overall performance despite their stunning 4-3 defeat to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup, describing the match as a tough contest marked by missed opportunities and fine goalkeeping.

“In these stages, they are all difficult games. We allowed them to create transitions but we created a lot and in general we were good. It’s a pity. We were in such a good place and I can’t not say thank you to the staff, how they train and prepare — they have given everything,” Guardiola said.

City were knocked out of the tournament on Monday night in one of the biggest upsets in recent Club World Cup history. Despite taking a 2-2 draw into extra time, the European champions were edged out after Marcos Leonardo scored the decisive goal, handing Al Hilal a historic win.

Reflecting on his side’s performance, Guardiola said, “We made a lot of actions and Bounou made incredible saves. Nothing else to say. I have the feeling that the team is doing well, but we go home and now it’s time to rest and refresh our mind and come back next season.”

City had gone ahead early in the game when Bernardo Silva finished off a Rayan Ait-Nouri cross in the ninth minute. Al Hilal players protested that Ait-Nouri had handled the ball in the build-up, but the goal was allowed to stand.

The Premier League side dominated large spells of the match, creating several chances to extend their lead. However, Moroccan international Yassine Bounou produced a string of remarkable saves to deny efforts from Jeremy Doku and Silva, keeping his side in the match.

Al Hilal capitalised on the missed chances and mounted a comeback that culminated in the dramatic extra-time winner, booking their place in the quarter-finals against Brazil’s Fluminense.

In a message posted after the match, Manchester City expressed gratitude to fans, saying, “Thank you all for your amazing support in the US and at home during the #FIFACWC. We’ll see you in August for the @premierleague.”

Source Punch Ng

Posted July 1, 2025

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