The sudden silence of Egyptian sports commentator Medhat Shalaby during the clash between Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal and England’s Manchester city in the round of 16 of the 2025 Club World Cup ignited a wave of confusion and astonishment among viewers. the interruption occurred during a critical juncture of the game,amplifying the fans’ reaction.

Al-Hilal secured their place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup 2025 wiht a thrilling 4-3 victory over Manchester City. The Saudi team is now set to face Brazil’s Flumini in the next stage.

The match was filled with dramatic twists. manchester City initially took the lead with a goal from Portuguese player Bernardo silva. However, Al-Hilal retaliated in the second half, with two goals from Brazilians Leonardo and Malcum. Manchester City’s Erling Halland then equalized, adding to the excitement.

The unexpected disappearance of Shalaby’s commentary triggered widespread reactions across social media platforms. Many fans voiced their surprise and disappointment at the absence of his voice,especially as Al-Hilal was in the process of achieving a important upset in the tournament.

Al Hilal (AF)

Technical Difficulties Blamed for Commentary Interruption

“The holidays were technical and was quickly controlled… Medhat Shalaby remained in an excellent condition.”

According to various media sources, the reason for the interruption of Shalaby’s broadcast on the “MBC Egypt 2” channel stemmed from a technical malfunction. This occurred specifically during his commentary on Al-Hilal’s second goal, scored by Malcolm in the 51st minute.

Journalist Ibrahim Fayek addressed the situation in a post on “X”, stating that the technical issues were promptly resolved. He assured fans that Medhat Shalaby was in good spirits and continued his commentary with his characteristic enthusiasm,despite the temporary loss of audio for viewers.