(Football news) With a brace from Julian Alvarez, an own goal from Nino, and a strong performance from Phil Foden against the South American champions, Guardiola’s team not only won the coveted Champions League but also a plethora of domestic medals and became the world champions.
Guardiola’s three freshly introduced players quickly made an impact in Jeddah, needing just forty seconds to make a few minor adjustments to the team that defeated Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-finals.
At a distance of twenty-five yards, Ake unleashed a dangerous curler that Fabio pushed against the post, dropping into the path of Alvarez, who, as he tumbled to the ground, performed a brilliant act of improvisation to chest the ball into the open goal.
Alvarez scored the fastest goal in the history of the Club World Cup final, defying Fluminense’s protests for offside. Despite this, the Brazilian team remained unmoved, choosing to make numerous dangerous passes out of the back and get a few opportunities to enter the final third.
Referee Szymon Marciniak signalled a penalty in the 16th minute as German Cano slid past Ederson and skipped by him before being grabbed by the Brazilian’s trailing arm. However, Manchester City was saved by the offside flag.
In the twenty-seventh minute, Rodri sent a sharp ball into the box where Foden was waiting, and the Englishman’s attempt to pass across the six-yard box rebounded into the side of the net via Nino’s outstretched leg. Guardiola’s team made the most of that reprieve.
Even though Ederson had to tip a strong header from Jhon Arias away in the 40th minute, another offside call soon stopped Fluminense’s effort, meaning the treble champions’ two-goal lead was never really in jeopardy as the half came to an end.
Before the welcome sound of the halftime whistle reached Fluminense, Jack Grealish forced Fabio into another impressive stop down low in the 42nd minute. Two minutes after the restart, Fluminense were grateful to their goalkeeper for a fine double save from Foden’s effort and Bernardo Silva’s follow-up header.
In the last third, Fernando Diniz’s team was displaying brief glimpses of life, especially down the right side, but the Citizens’ defense held firm as an irritated Fluminense started to commit an increasing number of needless fouls.
After being injured by one of Alexsander’s challenges, Rodri spent many minutes in excruciating pain on the ground. Nevertheless, the Spaniard remained unwavering in his resolve to play, and he managed to recover in time to see another Citizens goal.
The 72nd minute saw Foden arrive on the stretch in the six-yard box to convert the Argentine’s low cross after Rodri was given the all-clear to continue. Manchester City pushed the ball out to Alvarez on the left-hand side immediately after the restart.
Nevertheless, Rodri collapsed once more right after Manchester City won the match and had to end the evening early, raising doubts over his readiness for a crucial run-in during the holidays.
The Copa Libertadores champions were opened up again nine minutes later, but Fluminense did force Ederson into one memorable save in the 79th minute when the Manchester City number one deflected John Kennedy’s effort over the top after a brilliant single move from the attack.
Substitute Matheus Nunes attacked along the right flank this time, cutting back for Alvarez just inside the box. The World Cup winner deftly deflected the ball onto his right foot and finished expertly in the bottom corner.
A brief altercation between Kyle Walker and Felipe Melo caused both sets of players to step in and break up the irate pair, interrupting Manchester City’s celebrations. However, Guardiola’s team was soon able to celebrate an overwhelming victory before returning to the Premier League, where Everton awaits them on Wednesday.
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