Bounou Leads Al Hilal to Historic Victory over Manchester City with Spectacular Saves
Express TV: Mustafa Filali
Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou guided Al Hilal to a historic victory over English giants Manchester City, winning 4-3 in a monumental clash on Monday night in the Round of 16 of the Club World Cup. Bounou once again proved that he ranks among the elite goalkeepers globally, delivering a heroic performance that directly contributed to Al Hilal’s well-deserved progression to the quarter-finals.
Despite conceding three goals during the match, Bounou excelled with “extraordinary” saves that were key in helping Al Hilal withstand City’s pressure, especially during the extra time, which saw an exhilarating seven goals. His decisive saves denied Manchester City stars from scoring real chances and took the spotlight away from some of the match’s standout players.
Bounou’s performance was not surprising; he is known for shining in high-stakes encounters, as demonstrated in the previous match against Spanish side Real Madrid, where he notably stood out and was one of the primary reasons for Al Hilal’s 1-1 draw against the European champions. His most significant contribution in that match was a crucial penalty save against Federico Valverde in the dying moments, preserving a valuable point for his team.
With this display, Bounou continues to solidify his status as one of the pillars of Al Hilal and its most influential players, with his leadership role becoming increasingly evident in facing the world’s strongest teams.
