Manchester City made history in Jeddah on Friday night as they took a fifth trophy under their command by beating Fluminense in the Club World Cup final. Pep Guardiola’s side were ahead inside the first minute through Julian Alvarez and barely let up thereafter as goals from Phil Foden, an own goal and another from Alvarez saw them coast to their triumph.
Julian Alvarez scored twice as Manchester City became FIFA Club World Cup winners for the first time after a commanding 4-0 victory over Fluminense in the final.
Phil Foden was also on target as Pep Guardiola’s side capped off a memorable 2023 with their fifth trophy of the calendar year – adding to their Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League and Super Cup triumphs.
City took just 40 seconds to break through in Jeddah, Alvarez chesting into an empty net after Fabio had turned Nathan Ake’s long-range strike onto the post.
The reigning European champions doubled their lead in the 27th minute as Nino turned Foden’s cross into his own net.
Foden made it 3-0 with 18 minutes remaining when he slotted home from Alvarez’s low cross, and the Argentina forward put the seal on his side’s victory when he drilled into the bottom corner two minutes from time.
Talking Point: Pep Equals own record as City soar
Despite their recent Premier League struggles, City never really looked like slipping up here in all fairness.
Taking the lead after just 40 seconds through Alvarez’s brilliant instinctive finish, there was only ever going to be one winner at King Abdullah Sports City.
They did so in record-equalling fashion, too. Indeed, the 4-0 scoreline represented the joint-highest margin of victory in a FIFA Club World Cup final.
Ironically, it was previously done by Guardiola’s Barcelona as they swept another Brazilian outfit aside in Santos 12 years ago.
The Spaniard subsequently becomes the first manager to win this trophy on four occasions – adding to his triumphs with Barca and Bayern Munich – and the first to do so with three different clubs.
Player of the match
Julian Alvarez (Man City): The Argentina forward has often proved himself a more than capable replacement for Erling Haaland, and he did so again. He took both of his goals superbly, while demonstrating wonderful vision to set up Foden for City’s third.
Player Ratings
Man City: Ederson 7; Walker 7, Stones 7, Dias 7, Ake 8; Lewis 7, Rodri 8; Foden 8, Silva 7, Grealish 7; Alvarez 9*. Subs: Kovacic 6, Akanji 5, Gvardiol 5, Nunes 7, Bobb 5.
Fluminense: Fabio 7; Xavier 5, Nino 4, Melo 5, Marcelo 5; Andre 4, Martinelli 6, Arias 6, Ganso 5, Keno 4; Cano 5. Subs: Kennedy 6, Lima 5, Barbosa 5, Alexsander 5, Marlon 4.
Match Highlights
1’ – GOAL! Manchester City 1-0 Fluminense (Alvarez): Fabio does well to tip Ake’s bending long-range effort onto the post. But the ball ricochets to Alvarez in the six-yard box, and the Argentine improvises brilliantly to chest it into the empty net after just 40 seconds!
27’ – GOAL! Manchester City 2-0 Fluminense (Nino own-goal): A lovely move gets Foden in behind the defence. The England winger looks to square the ball for a team-mate, but it ricochets off Nino and nestles in the bottom-right corner.
72’ – GOAL! Manchester City 3-0 Fluminense (Foden): The England winger, whose cross led to the second goal, gets in on the act as he arrives late in the six-yard box to turn in Alvarez’s drilled ball into the centre.
88’ – GOAL! Manchester City 4-0 Fluminense (Alvarez): Nunes has far too much space down the right flank and picks out the Argentina forward, who shifts the ball to his right before drilling into the bottom-left corner.
