Can Al Hilal aim for more history at the Club World Cup?

Dubai: Al Hilal have become one of the major storylines of this year’s Fifa Club World Cup following their dramatic 4-3 extra-time victory over Manchester City in the Round of 16.

The Riyadh-based club shocked the football world by eliminating Pep Guardiola’s side in a seven-goal classic, capped by a 112th-minute winner from Marcos Leonardo.

Now, with momentum on their side, Al Hilal are preparing for another high-stakes encounter as they face Brazil’s Fluminense in Friday’s quarter-final—a matchup that promises plenty of intrigue. The winner will go on to meet either Chelsea or Palmeiras in the semi-finals.

Remarkably, Al Hilal have made it this far without star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has been sidelined with a calf injury.

His absence has forced head coach Simone Inzaghi to reshuffle his attacking lineup, turning to 22-year-old Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo, who has stepped up superbly.

Leonardo netted twice against City and now has three goals and one assist in the tournament.

The team’s attacking depth was further tested when captain Salem Aldawsari suffered a hamstring injury after scoring a stunning lob in the group stage win over Pachuca. The injury will keep him out for six weeks, with Mohamed Kanno now filling in on the right wing.

Elsewhere, full-back Joao Cancelo shone against his former club City and is expected to retain his starting role. In goal, Yassine Bounou has once again proved his world-class credentials, continuing the form that brought him international acclaim during Morocco’s 2022 World Cup run.

Fluminense, meanwhile, pulled off their own upset by knocking out Serie A giants Inter 2-0 in the previous round. However, the Brazilian side will be without left-back Rene, who is suspended due to yellow card accumulation — he’s the only player in their squad to have received multiple bookings so far.

They also face uncertainty in midfield. Martinelli, who struggled with an apparent injury after halftime against Inter, may miss the quarter-final.

If so, Hercules, who came off the bench to score the game-sealing goal, is likely to step in. The squad is already without 31-year-old midfielder Otavio, recovering from an Achilles tendon injury suffered in March.

Despite the setbacks, Fluminense will rely on a core of seasoned veterans. Striker Germán Cano (37), defender Thiago Silva (40), and goalkeeper Fabio (44) continue to play pivotal roles in the club’s impressive run.

Regardless of what happens against Fluminense, Al Hilal’s epic win over Manchester City will remain one of the defining moments of this tournament. Speaking after the match, head coach Simone Inzaghi said:

“We had to do something extraordinary because we all know Manchester City. That is what the boys did tonight—they were simply wonderful.

We had to climb Mount Everest without oxygen, and we made it. All the players were exceptional in everything—in possession, in defense.”

Now, with their belief soaring, Al Hilal will look to write another chapter in what’s becoming a remarkable Club World Cup campaign.