Manchester City was considered a strong favourite going into the match, but they got off to a surprising start with Bernardo Silva scoring in the ninth minute. However, the goal was surrounded by controversy, with a VAR review confirming that Ilkay Gundogan did not handle the ball.
Despite the controversy, Al Hilal players protested vociferously, causing a delay in the restart. The Saudi side attempted to use this momentum to their advantage, but Manchester City's defense held strong, with Ederson remaining untroubled in the first half.
Yassine Bounou was the hero for Al Hilal, making several crucial saves to deny Manchester City's attacks. The Moroccan goalkeeper tipped over a header from Erling Haaland and made sharp reflex saves to deny Savinho and Jeremy Doku.
Just when it seemed like Manchester City was in control, Al Hilal staged a remarkable turnaround in the second half. Within seven minutes, they equalized, and then took the lead with a goal from Malcom.
The match was far from over, as Manchester City equalized once again through Haaland. The game continued to be intense, with both sides creating chances but also committing mistakes.
As the game wore on, the tempo dropped, and extra time seemed inevitable. However, Al Hilal started the first period of extra time positively, taking the lead with a goal from Kalidou Koulibaly.
Manchester City responded with the introduction of Phil Foden, who scored a stunning equalizer. The game remained tied until Al Hilal landed the knockout blow in the 113th minute, securing their spot in the quarter-finals.
The match was an incredible display of football, with both teams creating chances but also making mistakes. In the end, Al Hilal's resilience and determination paid off, as they advanced to the next stage of the competition.
Yassine Bounou was deservedly named the Man of the Match for his impressive performance between the sticks.
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