A double from Julián Álvarez leads the victory (4-0) against Fluminense, the fifth title for the English in 2023
Pep Guardiola wins his fourth World Cup, first for City
MADRID, 22 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Manchester City thrashed Fluminense (4-0) this Friday to win the Club World Cup for the first time in its history, in a final that dominated the scoreboard from the first minute, held at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Pep Guardiola’s team took the lead in the first play of the match, with a fateful mistake by Marcelo, formerly of Real Madrid, who gave the ball to Aké and caused a rebound that Julián Álvarez scored. City shook off any nerves they might have despite not being able to count on Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne or Jérémy Doku, although they regretted in the second half the possible injury to Spaniard Rodrigo Hernández.
The European champion surpassed the American champion, both teams achieving that feat for the first time as well, in search of the world summit. The Brazilian team was hit hard on the scoreboard but not emotionally, as they put pressure on City during the first half. Ederson had work to do and even committed a penalty that saved him from a previous offside.
However, fortune fell on the English side in an own goal by Nino around the half-hour mark. Jhon Arias was able to get the Libertadores champion into the final before the break, but Ederon maintained the 2-0 lead heading into the second half. City also attacked and did so again after the restart.
Between Grealish and Foden they were close to third, and the second was the one who ended up making it 3-0 20 minutes from the end, just after the tackle for which Rodrigo had to ask for an injured substitution. Guardiola’s men bit into the pressure and in recovering the ball they found the key to seal the final.
Already in the 88th minute, Julián Álvarez showed City that he knows how not to miss Haaland, signing the double and the fifth title of the year for the celestials, the first English club to win the Premier League, the FA Cup, the League of Champions, the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup in the same year.
For his part, Pep Guardiola won his fourth Club World Cup, two with FC Barcelona, one with Bayern and this one with City, the most successful in the tournament, surpassing the Italian Carlo Ancelotti. A World Cup that ended this Friday with the format that was created in 2005 since in 2024 the Intercontinental Cup will return and, in 2025, the new Club World Cup will be born, which will be held every four seasons in a format with 32 teams.
2023-12-22 20:16:36
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