Guardiola's perfect record ends in haphazard fashion
- Published
The Club World Cup group stage had been plain sailing for Manchester City, winning all three games, but they fell at the first knockout hurdle following a haphazard defensive display.
Pep Guardiola's side were often opened up on the counter-attack and made to pay heavily for their sloppiness at both ends of the pitch - failing to take a host of first-half chances.
The result also ends Guardiola's flawless record at the Club World Cup as manager of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City.
The Spaniard had won all 11 of his previous matches at the tournament, conceding just four goals - but that total doubled in the space of 120 thrilling minutes in Orlando.
"It wasn't a fluke but really worrying signs," former City goalkeeper Shay Given said on Dazn.
"Al-HIlal could have scored even more. It is a real worry the chances they gave up."
For Guardiola, the task now is to sort out the issues they faced in Florida before the Premier League opener at Wolves on 16 August.