The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 delivered a seismic double blow to European football on Tuesday, as Manchester City (England) and Inter Milan (Italy)—two of the continent’s strongest clubs—suffered shocking knockout defeats to Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) and Fluminense (Brazil), respectively. The results ignited debates over whether European dominance in global club football is finally crumbling.
City’s Dream Run Ends in Extra-Time Heartbreak
Manchester City, fresh from a dominant group stage where they scored 13 goals in three wins, faced relentless resistance from Asian champions Al-Hilal. The Saudi side, led by Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, stunned City with a 4-3 extra-time victory—a historic first for an Asian club defeating a European opponent in a FIFA-organized competition.
Bernardo Silva gave City an early lead, but Leonardo equalized before halftime.
Malcolm put Al-Hilal ahead with a sensational solo run, only for Erling Haaland to level the score.
In extra time, Kalidou Koulibaly and Leonardo struck again, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou making 10 crucial saves to deny City’s attacking onslaught.
Inter Suffer Quiet Collapse Against Fluminense
Meanwhile, UEFA Champions League runners-up Inter Milan fell 2-0 to Brazil’s Fluminense, whose clinical display exposed the Italians’ defensive frailties.
Cano headed in an early opener, and Héctor Herrera sealed the win in stoppage time, capitalizing on Inter’s midfield disarray.
The defeat ended Inter’s 15-year quest for a Club World Cup title and marked South America’s resurgent challenge to European hegemony.
