FIFA Club World Cup: Man City cruise to set up Fluminense final
Manchester City secured a mouth-watering FIFA Club World Cup™ final against Fluminense by overpowering Urawa Reds. They will now strive to make history – no English side has lifted the trophy at their first attempt, while Pep Guardiola could become the first coach to win the competition four times – on Friday.
The Reds’ steadfast defending frustrated City for much of the first half, with Shusaku Nishikawa producing a reflex save from Matheus Nunes on a rare occasion Guardiola’s side had a clear sight on goal.
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium erupted minutes before half-time when the big screen panned on to the injured Erling Haaland, and just before the whistle another Norwegian rippled the net. Unfortunately for Urawa, Marius Hoibraten diverted the ball into his own goal following a palatial pirouette, one-two with Bernardo Silva and cross from Nunes.
The advantage was doubled minutes after the restart. Kyle Walker received possession at right-back, drove forward and freed Mateo Kovacic with an excellent, outside-of-the-boot pass. The Croatia midfielder held off his marker and slammed the ball into the roof of the net for his first City goal.
The English Premier League side continued their domination of proceedings and Bernardo Silva’s deflected strike then made it 3-0 off the unfortunate Hoibraten, after Nishikawa had made a good stop from Nunes.
