MANCHESTER Metropolis crashed out of the Membership World Cup with a 4-3 defeat in extra-time by Saudi Arabian facet, Al Hilal, on Monday within the final 16, hours after Inter Milan have been eliminated by Fluminense on a day of shock outcomes.
Champions League runners-up Inter have been dumped out 2-0 by the Brazilian facet in Charlotte and Pep Guardiola’s Metropolis joined them after Marcos Leonardo’s brace left the Premier League giants on the fallacious finish of a seven-goal thriller.
Al Hilal, who recorded one of many best ends in Center Japanese soccer historical past, will face Fluminense in Orlando on Friday within the quarter-finals.
Metropolis have been the one facet to win all three group matches, together with a thrashing of Juventus, however got here undone in Florida in opposition to an Al Hellolal facet crammed with gamers who as soon as starred for European groups.
Guardiola’s workforce have been the defending champions, having received the trophy in 2024 in its earlier format, however have been matched blow-for-blow by Al Hilal on the Tenting World Stadium.
Former Inter coach, Simone Inzaghi’s facet confirmed their high quality within the group stage as they held Spanish giants Actual Madrid to a draw, however few anticipated they may derail Metropolis’s cost in direction of the trophy.
Bernardo Silva turned residence from shut vary to place Metropolis forward after 9 minutes on a muggy night time on the east coast, however Leonardo levelled early within the second half.
Former Barcelona winger, Malcom, fired the Saudi facet forward after Joao Cancelo threaded him by on purpose.
Erling Haaland levelled for Metropolis and had an effort cleared off the road late on earlier than the sport went to extra-time.
Koulibaly nodded residence from a nook after 94 minutes however Phil Foden completed properly to stage 10 minutes later.
The match was determined by Leonardo reacting properly to prod residence when Ederson saved Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s header after 112 minutes, with Metropolis unable to battle again a 3rd time.
Elsewhere Monday, German Cano headed residence early on to offer
Fluminense the lead in opposition to Inter Milan and the Brazilian facet survived an onslaught from the Serie A workforce to progress.
Substitute Hercules netted late on to seal their win, whereas a pissed off Inter hit the woodwork twice by Lautaro Martinez and Federico Dimarco.
The Rio de Janeiro outfit become the second Brazilian facet to make the final eight after Palmeiras had already sealed their quarter-final spot.
It’s the newest victory for a Brazilian workforce in opposition to prestigious European opposition on the match in the US, after Botafogo defeated PSG and Flamengo received the higher of Chelsea within the group stage.
Inter, who have been thrashed 5-0 by PSG within the Champions League closing, appointed Cristian Chivu to exchange the departing Inzaghi forward of the match.
They didn’t totally persuade in the course of the group stage regardless of topping their part and a livid Martinez criticised a few of his team-mates after the sport. —AFP
