Manchester City clinched their first-ever FIFA Club World Cup tite after a resounding 4-0 win over Fluminense in the final on Friday evening.
FIFA Club World Cup
Result: Manchester City 4-0 Fluminense
Date: 22 December 2023
Venue: King Abdullah Sports City
Man City were still without Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku, as Julian Alvarez was recalled alongside Rico Lewis and Ruben Dias, as three changes from their win over Urawa Red Diamonds
Pep Guardiola's charges had a dream start after Alvarez gave them the lead in the first 40 seconds with a chested effort from a rebound after goalkeeper Fabio tipped Nathan Ake's shot into the post.
Fluminense struggled to settle despite insisting on playing from the back and playing a high pressing game without the ball.
City eventually doubled their lead just before the half-hour mark after Nino deflected Phil Foden's cross past the wrong-footed Fabio and into his own net.
The Brazilian side had good moments towards the end of the first stanza as Jhon Arias' downward header forced a save out of shot-stopper Ederson, who preserved City's two-goal cushion heading to the interval.
The Citizens almost had a perfect start in the second stanza as three minutes in Fabio kept Fluminense in the game with a double save to deny Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva from a rebound.
The European champions slowed down the tempo of the game, with mistakes creeping into their game.
However, City were clinical with errors from the Copa Libertadores champions, as Foden put the game to bed 18 minutes before time with a tap-in from a cross by Alvarez after a quick counter-attack.
However, the Citizens were more threatening going forward and Alvarez made it 4-0 and completed his brace two minutes before time with a strike in the box from a square pass by Matheus Nunes.
City were crowned champions in their first ever participation and became the first English team to win the Club World Cup, UEFA Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Super Cup in the same year.
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