If Al Hilal managed to beat Manchester City in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup, it was in particular thanks to the once again exceptional performance of Yassine Bounou.
During the round of 16 of the Club World Cup between Manchester City and Al Hilal, one name rang out loudly: Yassine Bounou, the Moroccan goalkeeper of Al Hilal. His performance is unanimously hailed as one of the most impressive of this edition of the tournament, with one save in particular going around the world.
From the 25th minute, when Manchester City was already leading 1-0, pressing hard and seemed about to make the break, Savinho found himself alone against Bounou. In a desperate situation, already on the ground, the Moroccan goalkeeper repelled the attacker’s strike with his arm, a reflex and heroic gesture which literally kept his team alive. This spectacular rescue marked a psychological turning point in the encounter.
10 parades, competition record equaled!
Throughout the match, Bounou made a series of incredible saves. With 10 saves against one of the best attacks in the world, he equaled the competition record for the most saves made in a single match. His performance was praised on social networks and by experts: ESPN named him man of the match, while many other Internet users were ecstatic about his performance.
At 34, Bounou demonstrates that he is still at his peak and reminds us that he is perhaps the best African goalkeeper in history. His heroic performance allowed Al Hilal to overthrow Manchester City (4-3) after a crazy encounter, marked by a double from Marcos Leonardo and goals from Malcom and Koulibaly. This prestigious success qualifies Al Hilal for the quarter-finals, against Fluminense, but it is above all Bounou’s performance which is causing a sensation, especially for the Moroccans proud of their compatriot. There’s something…
Yassine Bounou made a monumental save against Manchester City, repelling a shot from close range in the 25th minute, saving Al Hilal. With 10 saves, he was decisive in the 4-3 overtime victory, propelling his team into the quarters of the Club World Cup.
AZ-EDDINE AALLABOUCH
