'We had to climb Mount Everest without oxygen' - Inzaghi thrilled with Man City scalp

Simone Inzaghi likened Al-Hilal's extra-time victory over Manchester City to "climbing Everest without oxygen" as they knocked Pep Guardiola's side out of the Club World Cup.

Al-Hilal scored twice in extra time to earn a 4-3 victory, with Marcos Leonardo's second goal in the 112th minute securing the stunning win.

Leonardo and Malcom had flipped the game on its head after Bernardo Silva had given City an early lead, but Erling Haaland's equaliser saw the game extended.

Though Phil Foden restored parity again after Kalidou Koulibaly's header, Leonardo had the final say to set up a quarter-final meeting with Fluminense.

Al-Hilal scored as many goals against City as Guardiola's sides had allowed in the first 11 Club World Cup matches he was involved in (four).

And they were clinical with their chances, scoring with four of their six shots on target, and outperforming their 3.2 expected goals (xG).

Inzaghi was delighted to see his team overcome the odds and beat one of the favourites.

"The key to this result was the players, the heart they put on the pitch," Inzaghi said.

"We had to do something extraordinary because we knew how good Manchester City are, we knew we had to climb Mount Everest without oxygen, and we were great.

"Guardiola is the best coach in the world, but we did our best, and we deserved the result."

Midfielder Sergej Milenkovic-Savic, whose saved shot led to the winning goal as it was parried straight to Leonardo by Ederson, believes the victory should make people think before questioning Al-Hilal.

"Let's see now if they will criticise us," he said. "We showed them it's not like they are speaking about the league.

"We show against Real Madrid, Salzburg, Pachuca and tonight. I hope we will continue to show it."

As for City, the early exit compounds a disappointing season, having failed to win another trophy.

Guardiola's side had chances in the game, with 30 attempts overall and 14 of those on target, though Al-Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was in inspired form as he made 10 saves.

They underperformed their 4.2 xG, and though Guardiola was disappointed to fall at the first knockout hurdle, he noted it would give City more time to rest before the start of the next domestic season.

"It is a pity," Guardiola said. "We have been on an incredible journey together and were in a good place.

"The vibe was really good. I cannot thank the players enough for training and playing how they have been.

"But it was a difficult game. The margins were minimal. We created a lot, and Bounou made incredible saves, but we were so open. We would have loved to have continued. It will only be once every four years, and we had a feeling that the team was doing well.

"But we go home, and now it is time to rest and rest our minds for the new season."