Club World Cup: Guardiola's historic streak comes to an end | OneFootball

Club World Cup: Guardiola's historic streak comes to an end

Every streak must end. And last night, one of the most remarkable runs in modern football came to a halt. After 11 consecutive victories in the Club World Cup, Pep Guardiola suffered his first defeat in the competition, falling 4-3 to Al Hilal.

Since 2009, Guardiola had dominated this tournament. With Barcelona, Bayern, and then Manchester City, the Spaniard racked up 11 matches and as many wins, collecting three world titles. This is a unique record, unmatched by any other coach.

But against Al Hilal, fate took a different turn. In a high-voltage clash, the Saudi powerhouse toppled the English machine. It took 16 years to witness Guardiola’s first setback in the Club World Cup. And it’s Al Hilal—the ambitious Saudi club—who now make history as the team that ended a streak many thought unbreakable.

This defeat does nothing to diminish Pep Guardiola’s legacy in the competition, but it does mark the end of an era—the end of a manager who once seemed unbeatable on the world stage.