Manchester City FC Wins Club World Cup
Manchester City football club defeated Fluminense FC of Brazil 4 – 0 to win the 2023 Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia. This brings to five the number of trophies that City has won for 2023. They are the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and now, the Club World Cup.
In the opening minute, the Man City team took the lead. Nathan Ake’s impressive shot hit the post and ended up in Julian Alvarez’s path, who skillfully chested the ball into an empty net. Against the flow of the game, they scored a second goal when Phil Foden’s cross deflected off Nino.
Throughout the match, the Cityzens continued to create opportunities, with Foden playing a key role. Positioned in an attacking midfield position, he found clever spaces and pockets of play. Eventually, he was rewarded with a well-deserved goal, making it 3-0 with a simple tap-in after a smooth assist from Alvarez. In the late stages of the game, the Argentine secured City’s fourth goal with a quick shift and accurate shot inside the box.
In a dominant display, Manchester City proved to be too strong and a touch fortunate for an outmatched Fluminense in the Club World Cup final, securing a resounding 4-0 victory and clinching their fifth title of 2023 on Friday.
The match started with City taking the lead in just 40 seconds, setting the tone for a largely tension-free encounter. Julián Álvarez was quick to pounce on a rebound from Nathan Aké’s shot that had struck the post.
Fluminense’s hopes were further dashed in the 27th minute when their captain, Nino, inadvertently scored an own goal, effectively sealing the game long before Phil Foden’s goal in the 72nd minute. Foden expertly guided a pass from Álvarez into an open net. Álvarez himself found the back of the net once again in the 88th minute.
This victory not only secured City their first-ever Club World Cup title but also marked Europe’s 16th triumph in 17 editions of FIFA’s competition for continental champions. It has been an exceptional year for Man City, who had already claimed the FA Cup, Premier League, Champions League, and UEFA Super Cup.
Reflecting on the match, Phil Foden expressed his delight, stating, “It was an incredible game. The team not only showcased their quality but also demonstrated immense heart and determination. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.”
He further emphasized the significance of this achievement for the club, saying, “This is a monumental moment for Manchester City. I am absolutely thrilled. It holds immense importance for the club.”
Despite the absence of injured superstars Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, City comfortably secured their second convincing victory in four days in Saudi Arabia. Their expected non-appearance may have contributed to the presence of empty seats among the crowd of 52,601 at the King Abdullah Sports City, the Jeddah stadium that is set to be utilized in the 2034 World Cup.
Pep Guardiola’s victory in the Club World Cup has solidified his status as a coaching legend. With this win, he becomes the first coach to achieve this feat with three different teams. Previously, he led Barcelona to titles in 2009 and 2011, and then guided Bayern Munich to victory in 2013. It’s worth noting that the Bayern Munich team he coached had already won the Champions League under the guidance of Jupp Heynckes.
After the victory, Guardiola displayed his trademark calmness by approaching Fluminense coach Fernando Diniz to offer a handshake and a comforting arm on his shoulder. This gesture of sportsmanship speaks volumes about Guardiola’s character and respect for his opponents.
Diniz, in an interview with Brazilian TV Globo, acknowledged the strength of Manchester City, describing them as the best team in the world for the past five years. He praised their ability to capitalize on opportunities and highlighted the mistakes his own team made, which City duly punished. Despite the loss, Diniz expressed pride in Fluminense’s remarkable year and the journey that led them to the Club World Cup.
Fluminense, on the other hand, felt slighted when British media focused on the age of their veteran team, with six players born in the 1980s. This perceived disrespect only fueled their determination to prove themselves on the field. Interestingly, City’s oldest player in the starting lineup, captain Kyle Walker, was born in May 1990, highlighting the contrasting age dynamics between the two teams.
During the match, Fluminense bid farewell to their most celebrated player, Marcelo, who received warm applause from both the crowd and his former teammate at Real Madrid, City substitute Mateo Kovačić. Marcelo’s departure marked a significant moment in the game, and it was a touching display of camaraderie between the players.
The match itself saw an early goal from City’s Álvarez, who scored with his chest, setting a record for the fastest goal ever in a Club World Cup final. Fluminense’s luck didn’t improve when Nino’s attempt to block Foden’s pass resulted in an unfortunate own goal. The goal came from a swift change of pace in Rodri’s pass to Foden, showcasing City’s attacking prowess.
Overall, the match was a testament to Guardiola’s coaching brilliance and City’s dominance in world football. Fluminense may have fallen short, but they can hold their heads high for their incredible achievements leading up to the final.
An unfortunate incident marred City’s evening when Rodri suffered a knee injury. It happened when Alexsander accidentally caught him by the ankle, causing Rodri to crumple to the pitch. Immediately, he clutched the back of his knee in pain. Although he received treatment and briefly returned to the game, he eventually had to leave the pitch in agony.
On a brighter note, Rodri was honored with the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. Despite his injury, he managed to walk across the presentation stage to receive his well-deserved trophy. City captain Walker, on the other hand, claimed the silver ball.
Looking ahead to the 2025 tournament, there will be an exciting change with an expanded 32-team format in the United States.
