greg . 2025-07-01 08:10:03

Guardiola left to rue missed first-half chances as Manchester City departure Club World Cup

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola was left to rue his side's inability to capitalise on a host of first-half chances as the Premier League side suffered a surprise elimination from the Club World Cup versus Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal on Monday.

Marcos Leonardo scored twice, with the 112th minute winner, as the Riyadh-based outfit won 4-3 in extra-time in Orlando with the first-half display of goalkeeper Yassine Bounou proving pivotal in Al-Hilal's victory.

"The level in this competition is a World Cup," said Guardiola, who led City to the Club World Cup title in 2023.

"The sole regret I have is that we allowed them to run a little bit extra than expected.

"Versus a squad that defended so deep, the wingers have been brilliant.

The chances that we had in multiple, multiple departments.

Bounou made a lot of saves and, in the end, you have to result, you have to be precise.

"Fixture statsStatsPerformCity had taken a ninth minute lead across Bernardo Silva but a string of saves from Bounou in what remained of the first 45 minutes kept the Saudis in contention.

Leonardo and Malcom scored inside the first six minutes of the second half to turn the tables on Guardiola's side before Erling Haaland levelled in the 55th minute, taking the fixture into extra-time.

Kalidou Koulibaly's header put Al-Hilal back in front, sole for Phil Foden to equalise again for City, and Leonardo eventually killed off the Premier League side eight minutes from the end of extra-time.

The victory takes Al-Hilal across to a quarter-final meeting with Brazil's Fluminense while City return to England.

"We would have loved to continue, it's never easy to be here once every four years," said Guardiola.

"The squad still has that feeling, that the squad is doing well.

But we go home and now it's time to rest, to refresh our minds and come back for next campaign.

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