Manchester City claimed top spot in Group G of the Club World Cup with a commanding 5-2 victory over Juventus on Thursday.
The win, City’s third consecutive in the tournament, strengthens their position heading into the knockout stages. Both teams must await Friday’s results in Group H to learn their last-16 opponents.
City started strongly. Bernardo Silva forced Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio into an early save. The breakthrough came in the 9th minute; following patient build-up, Rayan Ait-Nouri split the Juventus defence with a precise pass, allowing Jeremy Doku to collect the ball and finish.
Juventus equalized against the run of play. City goalkeeper Ederson’s attempted pass out was intercepted by Teun Koopmeiners, who advanced into the penalty area and scored. Juventus then conceded an own goal in the 26th minute. Under no pressure, defender Pierre Kalulu turned Matheus Nunes’ low cross into his own net.
A brief downpour cooled the stadium before halftime. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola introduced striker Erling Haaland at the break. The Norwegian scored seven minutes into the second half. Tijjani Reijnders found Matheus Nunes, whose low cross reached an unmarked Haaland for a close-range finish – his 300th career goal.
Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner making his first start since an ACL injury in September, received applause when substituted for İlkay Gündoğan in the 66th minute. City maintained control.
Substitute Phil Foden extended the lead. Haaland, found by a long Ederson pass, saw his cross evade Foden, but Savinho recovered the ball and set up Foden for a simple finish. Savinho then scored City’s fifth goal, driving the ball powerfully into the net off the crossbar after Di Gregorio saved a Haaland shot.
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