Saudi Arabia have spent billions to try become a force in world football. On Monday night in Florida, celebrating supporters felt as if a small chunk of that had been repaid.
Pro League side Al-Hilal made their mark by stunning serial Premier League winners Manchester City 4-3 in an epic Club World Cup encounter.
Monday nights are more synonymous with live wrestling shows on television in the USA – but it was football that provided the big sporting show on the box this time as Marcos Leonardo’s winner sent City packing.
As former England winger Andros Townsend put it on Dazn: “Al-Hilal have shocked the world.”
For the Brazilian striker whose goal won the match, it was an emotional evening. Afterwards, he paid tribute to his mother, who is recovering after more than two months in hospital with a serious illness.
He said: “I have had a difficult time in the last two months. My mother spent 70 days in the ICU [intensive care unit].
“Today she is fine, thank God. When I scored those two goals, I thought of her. She was able to watch the game.”
Al-Hilal head coach Simone Inzaghi felt as if he was back on top of the world.
A month ago, Inzaghi left Inter Milan, three days after seeing his team thrashed 5-0 by Paris St-Germain in the Champions League final.
Having barely settled into to his new role, and without the services of key injured duo Salem Al Dasani and Aleksandar Mitrovic, he now has a huge victory to celebrate.
“The key of this result are the players, the heart they put on the pitch,” he said.
“Tonight we had to do something extraordinary because we knew how good Manchester City are. We knew we had to climb Mount Everest without oxygen and we were great.
“We played with a strong determination and we are really feeling the game. They deserved it. They fought for every ball and it gives satisfaction to the family of Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia and the fans here with us.”
‘Let’s see now if they will criticise us’
Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: Al-Hilal qualified for the competition after winning the 2021 AFC Champions League
The revamped Club World Cup has not received universal acclaim but an unforgettable last-16 tie will be talked about in all corners of the globe.
Al-Hilal clung on in the first half and were fortunate to only be 1-0 down thanks to goalkeeper Bono’s heroics but they recovered to go ahead in the second period.
They were twice pegged back but Marcos Leonardo delivered the decisive blow and once the final whistle was blown, staff and substitutes poured on to the pitch to enjoy the moment with their players.
The joyous Al-Hilal fans, a large cluster of whom were directly behind the dugout, waved the blue flags of the club and the green and white of the country.
Exiting the Camping World Stadium, travelling supporters packed out the concourses, dancing and singing “ole, ole ole ole”, while Saudi journalists hugged and kissed each other in the post-match news conference room.
One walked in with wide eyes and arms raised, screaming “Mabrook” in Arabic, translating as “congratulations”, almost in disbelief as to what he had witnessed.
It was the first time an Asian club have defeated a side from Europe in an official Fifa tournament. European teams have won 18 of the previous 20 meetings, with two matches drawn.
A journalist from the media outlet Arryadia called the result “one of the biggest in the history of Saudi football” – but added that the country’s shock 2-1 win over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup will “always be top”.
A lot of money has been spent to try to grow the Saudi game’s profile – more than £700m has gone on bringing players to the Pro League, while Portugal great Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival at Al-Nassr two and a half years ago was a significant signing.
Saudi Arabia will also host the 2034 World Cup – a decision that has been defended by Fifa president Gianni Infantino amid significant criticism – with the human rights campaign group Amnesty International describing it as “reckless”.
Infantino – the man behind the new 32-team Club World Cup format – has argued that staging the World Cup in the Gulf kingdom can be a catalyst for social improvements.
Saudi Arabia has faced years of scrutiny over its human rights and environmental record. Its World Cup bid was backed by the Football Association in December after it received assurances that all fans would be welcome.
The Saudi bid for the World Cup was unopposed, as Australia – the only other potential candidate – decided not to enter the running, hinting it was futile to do so after being given less than a month by Fifa to mount a challenge.
Fifa stood by a fast-tracked process that critics argued lacked transparency. They suggested it effectively paved the way for the Saudis thanks to a decision that only bids from Asia and Oceania would be considered.
Serbia midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who joined Al-Hilal from Lazio in 2023, was asked about the disapproval players have received in leaving Europe for the riches of the Middle East.
“Let’s see now if they will criticise us,” he said. “We showed them it’s not like they are speaking about the league.
“We show against Real Madrid, Salzburg, Pachuca and tonight. I hope we will continue to show it.”
Former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who scored in extra time, added: “We knew it would be difficult against one of the best in the world.
“We wanted to show our talents. We are so happy because we wanted to show Al-Hilal had the talent to be here.”​​​​​​​
‘A real worry’ for Man City
Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: Pep Guardiola suffered his first Club World Cup defeat as a manager
The group stage had been plain sailing for City, winning all three games, but they fell at the first knockout hurdle following a haphazard defensive display.
Pep Guardiola’s side were often opened up on the counter-attack and were made to pay heavily for their sloppiness at both ends of the pitch – failing to take a host of first-half chances.
“It wasn’t a fluke but really worrying signs for Guardiola,” former City goalkeeper Shay Given said on Dazn. “They could have scored even more. It is a real worry the chances they gave up.”
The result also ends Guardiola’s flawless record at the Club World Cup as manager of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City.
The Spaniard had won all 11 of his previous matches at the tournament, conceding just four goals – but that total doubled in the space of 120 thrilling minutes in Orlando.
For Guardiola, the task now is to sort out the issues they faced in Florida before the Premier League opener at Wolves on 16 August.
He said: “It was a difficult game. We allowed them to make transitions but we created a lot. It is a pity – we have been on incredible journey together and so good place. The vibe was really good.
“We would have loved to have continued. We had a feeling that the team is doing well but we go home and now it is time to rest and rest our minds for the new season.”
