Man City make history with Club World Cup win

byMr. Lee -

Manchester City lift the Club World Cup trophy

Julian Alvarez scored twice as Manchester City won the Fifa Club World Cup for the first time by beating Brazilians Fluminense in Saudi Arabia.

Pep Guardiola's side, taking part in the tournament after winning last season's Champions League, made the ideal start as Alvarez struck after 40 seconds, chesting in from close range after Nathan Ake's long-range strike hit the post.

They added a second in the 27th minute when Nino turned Phil Foden's cross into the back of his own net.

England's Foden then got on the scoresheet himself in the second half when he darted through the middle to prod in Alvarez's cross, before the Argentine forward got his second in the 88th minute with a clinical strike into the far corner.

Success meant City emulated Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea in lifting the Club World Cup, but became the first English side to win five trophies in a calendar year.

The Treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League last season was followed by the Uefa Super Cup in August.

"It was an incredible year," said Guardiola. "Today we closed the chapter. We won everything we could. Now time to try again."

But some of the shine was taken off their victory by the sight of Rodri - so influential for the side - going off injured towards the end of the second half.

Meanwhile, Egyptian side Al Ahly claimed third place with a 4-2 win against Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan.

City seal another title to round off memorable 2023

Julian Alvarez scores for Manchester City against Fluminense

City's win in Jeddah completed a trophy-laden and unforgettable year for the club.

Although winning the Club World Cup has often carried less importance for English sides, Guardiola had spoken of his determination to "close the circle" and lift the trophy he believed would complete City's collection.

While this was their first appearance in the tournament, Guardiola had won it before with Barcelona and Bayern Munich and underlined his desire to triumph again by naming a strong line-up.

The outcome was a dominant display by the reigning Premier League champions, with goalkeeper Ederson largely untested aside from a Jhon Arias header just before half-time, and a late John Kennedy strike.

"We were a little lucky at the start, we got the ball and scored early and then they had an incredible 10-12 minutes that made you realise how tough it would be," added Guardiola.

"The second goal helped us, but maybe we didn't deserve it. We adjusted something in the second half and we were much, much better."

City will celebrate before switching focus back to domestic matters, with their next game an away trip to Everton on Wednesday, 27 December.

With one win in their last six Premier League games, they will hope to use the momentum of their confident victory, and accolades of being crowned world champions, to get their title defence back on track.

Rodri concern after midfielder limps off

Rodri goes down in pain after a bad tackle in the Club World Cup final

While City fans will be pleased to see another piece of silverware added to their trophy cabinet, they will be concerned by midfielder Rodri going off in the 74th minute.

The midfielder was hurt by a challenge from Alexsander and looked in pain as he received treatment.

Rodri was able to get back on his feet and attempted to continue, but was substituted to avoid risking him further.

City have struggled when the Spaniard has been absent this season, with their three defeats in the Premier League coming without him in the side.

Player of the match

ÁlvarezJulián Álvarez

with an average of 8.24

Manchester City

  1. Squad number19Player nameÁlvarez
    Average rating

    8.24

  2. Squad number47Player nameFoden
    Average rating

    8.12

  3. Squad number16Player nameRodri
    Average rating

    7.87

  4. Squad number20Player nameBernardo Silva
    Average rating

    7.80

  5. Squad number6Player nameAké
    Average rating

    7.62

  6. Squad number3Player nameRúben Dias
    Average rating

    7.50

  7. Squad number5Player nameStones
    Average rating

    7.44

  8. Squad number10Player nameGrealish
    Average rating

    7.39

  9. Squad number2Player nameWalker
    Average rating

    7.38

  10. Squad number31Player nameEderson
    Average rating

    7.22

  11. Squad number8Player nameKovacic
    Average rating

    7.12

  12. Squad number82Player nameLewis
    Average rating

    7.11

  13. Squad number25Player nameAkanji
    Average rating

    7.09

  14. Squad number27Player nameMatheus Nunes
    Average rating

    7.08

  15. Squad number24Player nameGvardiol
    Average rating

    7.03

  16. Squad number52Player nameBobb
    Average rating

    6.94

Fluminense

  1. Squad number9Player nameJohn Kennedy

    Average rating

    5.26

  2. Squad number12Player nameMarcelo

    Average rating

    5.16

  3. Squad number1Player nameFábio

    Average rating

    4.95

  4. Squad number4Player nameMarlon

    Average rating

    4.92

  5. Squad number40Player nameDiogo Barbosa

    Average rating

    4.89

  6. Squad number8Player nameMartinelli

    Average rating

    4.86

  7. Squad number10Player namePaulo Henrique Ganso

    Average rating

    4.83

  8. Squad number7Player nameAndré

    Average rating

    4.83

  9. Squad number21Player nameArias

    Average rating

    4.81

  10. Squad number14Player nameCano

    Average rating

    4.72

  11. Squad number45Player nameLima

    Average rating

    4.70

  12. Squad number30Player nameFelipe Melo

    Average rating

    4.68

  13. Squad number11Player nameKeno

    Average rating

    4.65

  14. Squad number2Player nameSamuel Xavier

    Average rating

    4.64

  15. Squad number5Player nameAlexsander

    Average rating

    4.61

  16. Squad number33Player nameNino

    Average rating

    4.60

Line-ups

Man City

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 31Ederson
  • 2Walker
  • 5StonesSubstituted forGvardiolat 75'minutes
  • 3Rúben Dias
  • 6AkéSubstituted forBobbat 81'minutes
  • 82LewisSubstituted forKovacicat 61'minutes
  • 16RodriSubstituted forAkanjiat 74'minutes
  • 20Bernardo Silva
  • 47FodenSubstituted forNunesat 81'minutes
  • 10Grealish
  • 19Álvarez

Substitutes

  • 4Phillips
  • 8Kovacic
  • 18Ortega
  • 21Gómez
  • 24Gvardiol
  • 25Akanji
  • 27Nunes
  • 33Carson
  • 52Bobb
  • 68Alleyne
  • 76Susoho
  • 92Hamilton

Fluminense

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Lopes Maciel
  • 2Xavier Brito
  • 33Mota FilhoSubstituted forSantos da Silva Barbosaat 74'minutes
  • 30Melo de CarvalhoSubstituted forBarbosa Mendanhaat 61'minutes
  • 12MarceloBooked at 57minsSubstituted forGomes da Costaat 61'minutesBooked at 68mins
  • 7da Costa Neto
  • 8Lima
  • 21Arias
  • 10Chagas de LimaSubstituted forMoreira de Limaat 60'minutes
  • 11da Silva FrançaSubstituted forBatista de Souzaat 45'minutesBooked at 84mins
  • 14Cano

Substitutes

  • 4Santos da Silva Barbosa
  • 5Gomes da Costa
  • 9Batista de Souza
  • 20Sampaio Simões
  • 22de Faria Rangel
  • 23Rodrigues Gomes
  • 29dos Santos
  • 38González
  • 40Barbosa Mendanha
  • 44Braz de Oliveira Filho
  • 45Moreira de Lima
  • 98de Souza Costa

Referee:
Szymon Marciniak

Attendance:
52,601

Match Stats

Live Text

Post update

Match ends, Manchester City 4, Fluminense 0.

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    Mr. Lee

    Mr. Lee is a passionate writer with a deep appreciation for exploring diverse subjects. His curiosity and thoughtful perspective allow him to engage with a wide range of topics, bringing clarity and insight to his work.

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