Manchester City thrash Juventus to stay perfect at Club World Cup

Manchester City secured top spot in Group G of the FIFA Club World Cup by delivering a commanding 5–2 win over Juventus. With this result, Pep Guardiola’s side became the only team to win all three of their group matches in the expanded 32-team tournament.

Match Preview

• Early breakthrough: Jeremy Doku opened the scoring with a precise finish from a through pass by new signing Rayan Aït‑Nouri.
   
• Quick reply: Teun Koopmeiners equalised after capitalising on a rare error by goalkeeper Ederson.
   
• Own goal: Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu put through his own net from a Matheus Nunes cross, restoring City’s lead.
   
• Haaland milestone: Erling Haaland scored his 300th career goal, bundling in City’s third after entering the match at half-time.
   
• Wrap-up brilliance: Phil Foden and Savinho’s strike, the latter a spectacular long-range effort, rounded out City’s tally. Dusan Vlahović struck late for Juve but offered little consolation.

The win also marked the return of Rodri to the starting lineup after a long-term knee injury. Guardiola commended the level of intensity of the team and their performance, terming it a long-awaited performance of the real ability of the players.

Manchester City have impressed with a universal message in this extended version of the Club World Cup: They have shown how their depth, replacement of mainstay players like Rodri, and merciless attacking performance mean that they are every inch the team to dethrone.