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Manchester City secured the top spot in Group G at the Club World Cup with a 5-2 win over Juventus. Rodri returned, and Erling Haaland scored his 300th career goal.
Man City’s Haaland and Silva celebrating (AP)
Manchester City showcased their prowess to secure the top spot in Group G at the Club World Cup with a commanding 5-2 victory over Juventus on Thursday.
This third consecutive win for Pep Guardiola’s team increases their chances of avoiding a clash with Real Madrid in the last 16 — a challenge that now seems more likely for Juventus.
City and Juventus will learn their opponent after the final pair of games in Group H conclude later on Friday.
Rodri returns
It was a promising day for City, featuring the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who made his first start since rupturing his ACL in September. Guardiola’s side, incorporating several fresh faces, appeared significantly stronger than the squad that finished 13 points behind Premier League champions Liverpool last season.
Manchester City dominated from the outset, with Bernardo Silva testing Juventus keeper Michele Di Gregorio in the fifth minute. Four minutes later, Rayan Ait-Nouri’s incisive pass found Jeremy Doku, who finished coolly to put City ahead.
Juventus briefly equalised when Ederson’s poor pass was pounced on by Teun Koopmeiners, who scored confidently. But a 26th-minute own goal by Pierre Kalulu, turning in a Matheus Nunes cross under no pressure, restored City’s lead.
After a brief downpour, Erling Haaland came on at halftime and needed just seven minutes to score his 300th career goal, tapping in from a Nunes cross.
City remained in control. Haaland’s overhit cross was recovered by Savinho, who set up Phil Foden for an easy finish. Moments later, Savinho smashed in City’s fifth after Haaland’s shot was saved.
Juventus managed a late consolation through Dusan Vlahovic, who scored after a slick pass from Kenan Yildiz.
“It has been a long time since we had a performance like this on and off the ball. The players were committed, and we are happy to beat a top side,” Guardiola said afterwards.
For Juventus, it was a mauling that they will need to quickly recover from before their last 16 game.
“This defeat does not put anything into perspective; We played against the best team in the world. I have nothing to reproach my players for, we’ll take this blow, now we’ll rest and move on,” said Croatian coach Igor Tudor.
(with AFP inputs)
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
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