Manchester City's hopes of adding another trophy to their cabinet were dashed after a shocking 4-3 defeat to Al-Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup. The loss, which occurred in extra time, has left manager Pep Guardiola to lament missed opportunities and reflect on what could have been.

The match, held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, was a rollercoaster of emotions. Bernardo Silva gave Manchester City an early lead, but Al-Hilal responded with two goals in quick succession in the second half. Erling Haaland then equalized, sending the game into extra time. In extra time, Kalidou Koulibaly put Al-Hilal ahead once more, only for Phil Foden to equalize again. However, Marcos Leonardo's goal in the 112th minute sealed the victory for the Saudi Arabian side. Foden's goal marked his 100th for Man City.

Guardiola acknowledged his team's efforts but pointed to Al-Hilal's goalkeeper, Bounou, as a key factor in the outcome. He also noted that his team "allowed them to create transitions". Despite the loss, Guardiola thanked his players and staff for their commitment throughout the tournament. He stated, "We were in such a good place and I cannot say thank you enough to the staff, how they train and prepare, they have given everything".

The defeat is a significant setback for Manchester City, who were considered strong favorites to win the Club World Cup after their UEFA Champions League triumph. The loss means that City will end the season without any international silverware. Moreover, the loss adds to a troubling run for City, who also lost the FA Cup Final and were knocked out in the Champions League semifinals this season.

The result has intensified questions about Guardiola's tenure at Manchester City. After a season of near misses, the narrative has shifted from one of dominance to one of doubt. For a club with high expectations, ending 2025 without a major trophy raises concerns.

Despite the disappointment, Guardiola is looking ahead to the next season. "But we go home and now it is time to rest and rest our minds for the new season,” Guardiola said. He also highlighted some positive aspects of his team's performance during the tournament, saying, “I saw many good things that I didn't see in the past, especially how we were, the relations between the players and the staff". The players and coaches will now take a break before returning to the City Football Academy to prepare for the 2025/26 domestic season.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino described Al-Hilal's victory as the beginning of a "new era" in club football, a statement that has generated some controversy. Al Hilal will now advance to the quarterfinals to face Fluminense.