Manchester City’s tireless title collectors crowned the most successful year in their history with triumph at the Club World Cup. In the final in Jeddah, the favored Champions League winner beat the Brazilian top team Fluminense Rio de Janeiro 4-0 (2-0) on Friday evening (December 22, 2023) and won their fifth title this year.
With high temperatures in Saudi Arabia, world champion Julian Alvarez (1st) ensured a perfect debut for team manager Pep Guardiola’s team with his goal after just a few seconds. Fluminense defender Nino (27th) also scored an own goal. Phil Foden (72nd) and Alvarez again (88th) took away any hope of a comeback for the Brazilians.
ManCity continued their impressive series of European winners at the Club World Cup. For the eleventh time in a row and for the 16th time in total, the triumph went to a team from Europe; in 2012, Corinthians won Sao Paulo, making it the fourth and so far last victory for a team from South America.
Haaland not in the squad
Manchester’s triumph was never in danger, even without striker Erling Haaland. Because the Norwegian was not in the squad for the semi-final win against the Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan, he was not allowed to play in the final either. His representative Alvarez showed that he can be relied on: After Nathan Ake hit the post, the Argentine used the rebound to take the early lead. That gave the clear favorite from Manchester further self-confidence – but the opponent helped with the next goal. Nino unfortunately deflected a shot from Foden into his own goal, then goalkeeper Ederson prevented the Brazilians from scoring with a strong save shortly before half-time (40th).
The English champions also dictated the action in the second half, but did not push vehemently for the third goal. With the usual amount of ball possession and patience, Guardiola’s team took on the opponent – and then struck again through Foden and Alvarez. Before the triumph in Jeddah, Manchester had won the English championship, the FA Cup, the European Super Cup and the Champions League.
Fourth title for Guardiola – Kovacic’s record
Guardiola had previously won the Club World Cup with FC Barcelona in 2009 and 2011 and with FC Bayern in 2013. This makes him the first coach to win four Club World Cup titles. City midfielder Mateo Kovacic also achieved something historic: becoming the first player to win the competition with three different clubs. He triumphed with Real Madrid in 2016 and 2017 and with Chelsea in 2021.
From 2025 there will be 32 teams
At the Club World Cup, ManCity is now the fourth English title holder after Manchester United, Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC. At the next edition of the Club World Cup in 2025, the roles will not be as clearly distributed as in the previous format: then there will be 32 teams competing against each other in a group phase and a subsequent knockout round. The German record champions Bayern Munich will also be at the premiere in the USA.