Manchester City vs Al Hilal - Club World Cup: Live score, team news and updates as Pep Guardiola's men hoping to avoid another weather farce as they take on the Saudi outift for a spot in the quarter-finals

2 months ago 26

Follow Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Manchester City take on Al Hilal in the Club World Cup at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

Can Inzaghi's side spring a shock?

Yep, Simone Inzaghi. That's who I'm on about.

I can't lie, the fact that he left Inter Milan following the Champions League final to move to Saudi Arabia still surprises me. A month ago, he was leading a team out in the final of the greatest club competition on the planet; now he is Al-Hilal boss.

The Saudi side have really lucked out. Inzaghi is one hell of a coach.

However, no matter how good the Italian is, he has only been head coach for a few weeks and is yet to really put his imprint on this Al-Hilal team.

Oh yeah, and he is facing a Manchester City side reborn.

This is football, though, and anything can happen, even if you don't believe it. I mean, Fluminense have just knocked out Inzaghi's old side, Inter; the proof is in the pudding.

Can Al-Hilal make it two shocks in one night?

Al-Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi, left, uses water to cool down his player Mohammed Al-Qahtani during the Club World Cup group H soccer match between Real Madrid and Al Hilal in Miami, Fla., Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Resurgent City eye last eight

How good do Manchester City look right now, eh?

Pep Guardiola's side have been different gravy at the Club World Cup. I mean, I could rave about there performance against Juventus last week for hours, days, maybe even weeks.

Yep, that's how impressive City were.

It was an ominous performance from the perspective of the rest of the teams in the Club World Cup as they smashed five past the sorry Italian side.

If City play anything like that tonight against Al-Hilal, it will be a bloodbath.

We didn't see them at their best too often last season, hence why they have brought in so much new blood this summer. And well, the rebuild looks to have worked.

They. Are. Back.

Still, that was only the group stages. I've got to try and stay level-headed here; there are no guarantees they will go far in this competition.

That being said, I would be stunned if they lost to Al-Hilal tonight, even if this is the side that drew with Real Madrid.

All I will say is expect lots of goals from a team wearing blue...

See what I did there?

 Photo by Xinhua/Shutterstock (15376161z) Players of Manchester City celebrate scoring during the group G match between Italy's Juventus FC and England's Manchester City at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Camping World Stadium, Orlando, the United States, June 26, 2025. u.s. Orlando Football Fifa Club World Cup Group G Juventus Fc vs. Manchester City - 26 Jun 2025

Guardiola: 'I can't control the weather!'

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City boss, speaking on Sunday:

I am an extraordinary manager, but to control lightning and thunder, still I am not good enough, I am sorry. I would like it [the game] done as soon as possible.
But if it is not possible here it is the same reason as why they suspend the other one, I will go inside and we will continue to be active and play again.
It is not the ideal situation, but I grew up to understand not to be worried about the situations that I can't control. So no problem.

  Pep Guardiola, Head Coach of Manchester City, speaks during the Press Conference ahead of their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match against Al Hilal at Camping World Stadium on June 29, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Justin Setterfield - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Weather watch

When in Florida, am I right?

Look, we know that the US has lots of problems with stormy weather this time of year. I mean, just look at what happened during Chelsea's clash with Benfica.

There was a 113-minute delay because of lightning...

Unfortunately, there are storms forecast in Orlando this evening, which means delays could be possible.

It's clear skies at the moment, though, and I have both my fingers and toes crossed as I type this.

Well, that's impossible, but you know what I mean.

 General view inside the stadium prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between Manchester City and Al-Hilal at Camping World Stadium on June 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

What happened yesterday (and today)?

Well, we simply have to talk about yesterday, don't we?

I mean, it was a biggie.

There will be no more Lionel Messi at the Club World Cup. The main man in this tournament, who has pulled in the majority of big crowds in the US, was sent packing by PSG last night.

His Inter Miami side were taught a lesson in football by his former team. It was one hell of a performance from the champions of Europe as they showed why they are seen as the best team in the world, shipping four past the MLS side.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich battled past Flamengo in a six-goal thriller to set up a date with Luis Enrique's side, which promises to be one of the biggest match-ups of the competition so far.

Now, it's time to fast forward to today.

We have just witnessed the biggest shock of the tournament as Champions League finalists Inter Milan have been dumped out in the last 16. I know, mental.

Who was responsible for their demise? No other than Brazilian side Fluminese, led by former Chelsea and AC Milan star Thiago Silva, who is 40 years of age!

Wild, just wild.

 Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF reacts during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami CF at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 29, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

  Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain  celebrates his goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami CF at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 29, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)

EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by DiaEsportivo/Action Plus/Shutterstock (15379319x) Leon Goretzka of FC Bayern Munich celebrates after scoring for 1-3 in minute 43 during the match between CR Flamengo and FC Bayern Munich, in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami; 29th June 2025: Miami, USA. Flamengo v Bayern Munich, FIFA Club World Cup 2025, Football, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, USA - 29 Jun 2025

 Thiago Silva #3 of Fluminense FC celebrates with Juan Freytes after their side's second goal scored by Hercules #35 of Fluminense FC (not pictured) during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Fluminense FC at Bank of America Stadium on June 30, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

A storm is brewing

What's up, everyone?

Yes, it's me again. Another day, another game. It's been the case all year, and that's not going to change. It's football galore, and we just have to embrace it.

For those of you nutters in the UK staying up at this ungodly hour to watch some footie, fair play. I appreciate the company.

I assume those of you still awake are Manchester City fans and are hoping they can do a number on Saudi side Al-Hilal as they face off in a round of 16 clash.

The pair do battle in Orlando, which is known for its weather challenges. Also, we know what happened the last time we saw an English team play in the US. That's right, we were here for hours due to the weather.

I have a feeling something similar could happen tonight...

Anyway, I appreciate all of you who are here for the ride, and no, I haven't forgotten about you Americans - I love you too.

Now, let's all have a cracking time watching the sport we love.

 General view inside the stadium prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between Manchester City and Al-Hilal at Camping World Stadium on June 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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