Manchester City clinched their first Club World Cup title in grand style on Friday, outclassing Fluminense with a 4-0 victory, marking their fifth trophy win in 2023. The match, largely devoid of suspense, saw City take the lead within the first minute, setting the tone for their dominance throughout the game.
Julián Álvarez was the first to score, reacting swiftly to a rebound from Nathan Aké's shot that hit the post. Fluminense’s woes were compounded in the 27th minute when their captain, Nino, inadvertently scored an own goal. Phil Foden later widened the gap with a goal in the 72nd minute, followed by Álvarez's second strike in the 88th, sealing a resounding win for City.
This victory at FIFA's competition for continental champions not only gave Manchester City their inaugural Club World Cup title but also continued Europe's dominance in the tournament, marking their 16th win in 17 editions.
The match’s aftermath saw heightened emotions, with City captain Kyle Walker engaging in a confrontation with some Fluminense players, including Felipe Melo. Walker’s reaction seemed to stem from aggressive tackles during the game, one of which resulted in an injury to key midfielder Rodri. Despite the injury, Rodri later joined in the celebrations and was honored as the tournament's best player. Rodri’s presence has been pivotal for City, as their losses this season have often coincided with his absence.
Despite missing key players Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne due to injuries, City showcased their strength with a comfortable win, mirroring their earlier semifinal victory against Urawa Red Diamonds. The absences of these star players might have contributed to the nearly 4,000 empty seats in a crowd of 52,601 at King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah.
Pep Guardiola’s triumph as City's coach is significant, making him the first to win the Club World Cup with three different teams, having previously led Barcelona and Bayern Munich to titles in 2009, 2011, and 2013, respectively.
Guardiola displayed sportsmanship post-match by consoling Fluminense coach Fernando Diniz. He also shared a warm moment with Felipe Melo, despite the earlier on-field tensions.
Fluminense, with a lineup featuring several veteran players born in the 1980s, faced a formidable opponent in Manchester City. Fluminense's most celebrated player, Marcelo, exited after one hour, and one of his early missteps led to City's opening goal.
The financial disparity between the two clubs was evident. Manchester City, with the highest declared annual revenue in world soccer, has seen a dramatic transformation since playing in England's third-tier division in 1999. In contrast, Fluminense, expecting to earn $74 million this year, has a significantly smaller financial footprint.
Looking ahead, both teams are set to compete in the revamped Club World Cup in 2025, a 32-team tournament in the United States, promising substantial FIFA prize money.
In the third-place match of the current tournament, Al Ahly of Egypt overcame Urawa, the Asian champion from Japan, 4-2. Both teams will also participate in the expanded 2025 edition, highlighting the growing global footprint of the Club World Cup.
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