Large winners of the Group G shock, the Citizens of Pep Guardiola did the work to avoid the turn according to Real Madrid, which must ensure its first place next night.
There was (almost) no match. Mission full for Manchester City, already qualified for the round of 16 of the Club World Cup and which locked the first place in group G, by crushing Juventus (5-2) after a performance as efficient as attractive, Thursday in Orlando. The Citizens are now waiting to know their opponent, who will leave group H. With this result, they hope to have done the necessary to avoid Real Madrid, who if he finishes second will be the opponent of Turin.
After the Piano start (2-0) against the Wydad Casablanca and the correction (6-0) inflicted on Al Ain, the “Sky Blues” passed a test against the “Bianconeri”, also in a walk against these two Sparring-Parters. And it was succeeded with mention “very well”, as we have found by sequences which has long been their strength – until the loss of compass of the past season -, with this fluidity in the circulation of the ball which breathes out the opponent and this ability to accelerate on the wings which creates an immediate danger.
Most of the goals scored have been more or less illustration of what Pep Guardiola is trying to create, although having left Erling Haaland, Ilkay Gündogan, Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden on the bench at kick -off. It was the Belgian Jérémy Doku, perfectly alerted by the Algerian side Rayan Aït -Nouri – excellent all along – who opened the scoring (9th). An ideal start immediately spoiled by Ederson, author of a bad recovery in the feet of the Dutch Teun Koopmeiners, who did not fail to punish him (11th).
Haaland decisive in the second period
And the Italian supporters mocking “Che Cagada!” instead of the Brazilian goalkeeper. But that was without counting the one to come from the defender of Turin, the Frenchman Pierre Kalulu, who pushed the ball against his camp after a center of Matheus Nunes, twirling on the right wing (26th).
At the end of the period, a huge downpour of … Five minutes raised fears of an interruption. But the match continued until the break and the players could at least enjoy a natural shower to refresh themselves. On which Omar Marmoush, author of a superb shot in additional time, forced Michele Di Gregorio to a rescue, the preamble to a second act just as painful to come for the goalkeeper of Juve.
Because Haaland came into play at halftime and he was hungry. First too short of nothing to take over the center of Savinho – also excellent – he had no trouble to push the ball into the nets, impeccably served by Matheus Nunes (52nd). A third goal from the sides.
Savinho’s jewel, Rodri resumes his marks
On which the Norwegian giant had fun from the Turin defense to the Abois, to serve Savinho alone in front of the goal, who finally left Phil Foden Marche (69th). And to finish the festival, the highlight of the show was ensured by this same Savinho, author of a superb missile of the twenty meters back bar (75th).
The afternoon was all the more satisfactory for City since Rodri obtained his first tenure since his serious knee injury in September 2024. And the Spaniard, Golden Ball last year, which had made this club World Cup a goal after an almost white-white season, was convincing in his role as a facilitator.
For Juventus, without any other offensive idea than launching counterattacks – but you still have to have the ball – there was something to look gray, despite the goal for the honor of Dusan Vlahovic (84th).
