Paying the price

The question as to whether City would live to regret not converting those chances was answered within a minute of the second half.

Former City fullback Joao Cancelo's low cross was parried away by Ederson in the City goal, Al Hilal midfielder Malcom pounced, but saw his shot blocked by Ruben Dias — only for the ball to loop to Leonardo to head home the equalizer.

Six minutes later, and City's high defensive line was exposed by a long ball from Cancelo, which Brazilian Malcom raced on to. He showed power and pace as he broke away before coolly slotting past Ederson.

The Saudi fans in the crowd went wild, while Guardiola responded immediately with a triple substitution with midfielder Rodri and defenders Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji sent on.

That brought some much needed stability to a shaky backline, but City needed improvement at the other end, too. The breakthrough came, albeit in scruffy circumstances.

The Al Hilal defense was unable to deal with a Silva corner, and Erling Haaland pounced to steer home the loose ball to make it 2-2.

City piled on the pressure as it looked for the winner, but, yet again, Bounou held strong between the Al Hilal sticks, denying Akanji and Dias. Even when Bounou was beaten by Haaland, substitute Ali Lajami produced a magnificent goal-line clearance.