2023 is going to be a great year for Manchester City. They’ve already won England and Europe with their PL and FA Cup titles, and now they’re aiming for the biggest prize of them all: the Club World Cup! But they won’t be able to get their hands on the trophy if they can’t beat the defending champions, Fluminense.
It was a hot Friday night in Saudi Arabia, and City and Fluminense were set to battle it out under the lights of Jeddah’s Sports City Stadium. City were all business in their blue and white away kit, but Fluminense were all guns blazing in their trademark red and white.
Early City dominance sets the tone:
City got the better of Fluminense from the get-go and dominated the game from the start. The star player of the team was Kevin de Bruyne, who kept the ball moving with his eye-catching passes. On the flanks, there were Bernardo Silva and Foden. The experienced André kept Fluminense in the game at first, but City kept coming.
In the 15th minute, De Bruyne’s ball found Julian Alvarez all alone in the box and the Argentine striker headed home with ease. The crowd went wild, and it looked like Fluminense was finished for a while. City kept coming, with Foden hitting the post with a wild volley and Rodri going close with an effort from a distance. Despite their best efforts, Fluminense couldn’t keep up with the City attack.
Second half masterclass seals the deal:
City continued to dominate in the second half, and Foden – who was unstoppable all night – made it 2-0 in the 55th. Foden dribbled past three defenders and slotted home with ease. With a two-goal lead, City were cruising. Then, the always-reliable Cancelo put the finishing touches to the game with a brilliant long-range goal in the 76th minute. And in the dying minutes, substitute Jesus scored a fourth to make it 4-0. As the final whistle rolled, the stadium erupted in celebration. Manchester City had finally done it – they had finally won the Club World Cup! Captain Kyle Walker hoisted the trophy, and it was the perfect way to end an incredible year for City.
Fluminense’s brave resistance earns respect:
City deserved to win, but Fluminense deserves to take some credit too. They put up a great fight against an unbeatable team, and they didn’t give up. The three stars of the team were André (2 goals), Nino (1 goal), and Kayky (1 goal). Their tenacity and fight won them the respect of both their rivals and their fans.
Guardiola’s tactical masterclass:
Pep showed once again how good a manager he is when it comes to tactics. He was right to put Alvarez in the starting lineup, and his pressing and positioning were at the top of their game. It was like a modern-day version of Tiki-Taka, with City moving so fluidly and passing so crisply that they totally dominated Fluminense.
A historic moment for Manchester City:
Manchester City have won the Club World Cup and it’s a momentous occasion for the club. It’s the end of a great season for the club and goes a long way towards making them one of the best teams of the last few decades.
Looking ahead:
With the World Cup final out of the way, it’s time for Man City to focus on winning the Premier League and winning the Champions League again. Pep Guardiola’s team have a bright future ahead of them, and their obsession with winning trophies means their reign over the top is here to stay.
This World Cup final was more than just a game though – it was a sign of Man City’s domination and the quality of their manager. It was the night they made history and showed that they really are the best in the world.
