Manchester City Wins Club World Cup After Beating Fluminense
Manchester City thrashed Brazilian side Fluminense 4-0 on Friday to cap a remarkable year by winning the FIFA Club World Cup, at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Pep Guardiola’s team, who were missing injured striker Erling Haaland at the global tournament, had already captured the FA Cup, Premier League, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Super Cup this year.
Striker Julian Alvarez had the travelling City fans cheering 40 seconds after kick off when goalkeeper Fabio did well to push Nathan Ake’s long shot off the post. But the Argentine was quick to the rebound, stooping to his hands and knees to chest the ball into the net.
Fluminense’s Nino then scored an own goal in the 27th minute, deflecting a shot from midfielder Phil Foden sideways into the net to put City in a comfortable position.
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Manchester’s Foden put the result beyond doubt in the 72nd minute when he slid to poke in a cross across the box from Alvarez.
Alvarez then completed his double in the 88th with a strike from just inside the box, sending delighted Manchester City fans into a frenzy at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
The victory made Guardiola the first manager to guide three different clubs to Club World Cup titles, winning with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011, then Bayern Munich in 2013.
The Spaniard hinted that his time at the club might be coming to an end when he said “the job was done” and “there was nothing else to win” after eight years at the helm.
🏆 @MANCITY ARE #CLUBWC CHAMPIONS! 🏆
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 22, 2023
“I have the feeling we’ve closed a chapter. We’ve already won all the titles,” Guardiola told a news conference. “There’s nothing left to win. I have the feeling the job is done, is over.”
Guardiola, who arrived at City in 2016, claimed his 16th title with the club. He added he wanted to write a new chapter with the team where he has 18 months left on his contract.
“Now it’s Christmas time, buy another book and start to write it again. The last eight years it’s over,” he said. “When I close the chapter it’s for eight years of incredible work behind the scenes.”
“Today we celebrate on the plane, tomorrow rest. The players out there are still hungry and motivated. It’s a beautiful, beautiful day.”
Rodri was presented with the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament,and was able to walk across the presentation stage to receive his trophy after picking up an injury in the match. City captain Kyle Walker claimed the Silver Ball, while Fluminense’s Jhon Arias won the Bronze Ball.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will feature an expanded 32-team format in the United States.
🔵🏆 The moment @ManCity were crowned #ClubWC champions! #WelcomeTheChampions
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 22, 2023
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