Julian Alvarez's double was complemented by a Phil Foden goal and an own goal as City defeated the Brazilian side to win their first Club World Cup title
Michael Dominski
December 22, 2023 at 3:49 PM EST
(Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola wins his 37th trophy
(Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola has now won 37 trophies across 849 career games managed, making for an incredible average of a trophy every 23 games!
- Champions League: 3
- Premier League: 5
- La Liga: 3
- Bundesliga: 3
- FA Cup: 2
- League Cup: 4
- Copa del Rey: 2
- DFB-Pokal: 2
- Club World Cup: 4
- UEFA Super Cup: 4
- Community Shield: 2
- Supercopa de Espana: 3
Advertisement
City crowned world champions amid run of poor results
Ironically, Manchester City have been in much better form for most of the past seven or eight years under Pep Guardiola, but amid their recent run of poor results they are now officially crowned the best team in the world! Funny how it works.
Although City do need to get back to their best domestically, and although the Club World Cup should not be the conduit to convey the ultimate greatness of a side, City have indeed been top dogs for years now, even without a Champions League title to their name. Their triumph in Istanbul was the final confirmation of that, and this latest trophy in Jeddah is yet another reminder. Now, back to the real world and Goodison Park on Wednesday.
Walker: 'We’re just starting'
(Getty Images)
Despite Manchester City now being champions of the world, Kyle Walker said earlier this week that his team have a long way to go before they are considered one of the greatest dynasties of all time.
“I don’t think we’ll be looked at differently for a good couple of years,” Walker told The Times in an interview published on Wednesday. “To go and achieve what the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United did: they did it year in, year out for a number of years.
“So to be considered the best club in the world is obviously a great achievement but the lads know we’re just starting the building blocks for this club. The club has won Premier Leagues but to do it in the dominant way we have hasn’t been done here before. Hopefully we’re starting a new generation and we’ve started a path for the youngsters coming through, the likes of Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, and they emulate what we’ve been doing over the years.”
Bernardo Silva led the way in final
(Getty Images)
Bernardo Silva created six chances in the final, as many as every other Manchester City player combined.
That tally is the most by any player in a Club World Cup final since Toni Kroos created seven for Real Madrid in 2018.
Fluminense didn't roll over
Despite the scoreline, Fluminense gave Manchester City a competitive game for much of this match.
Their 89.8 per cent pass completion rate is the highest by an opponent of City in more than two years.
Four English teams have climbed the global summit
Manchester City have become the fourth different English team to win the Club World Cup, joining Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea.
England are now the nation with the most different teams to have won the competition.
Advertisement
Good sign for Rodri's ankle
Rodri is jumping up and down more than anybody in that trophy lift!
Kyle Walker raises Club World Cup trophy!
(Getty Images)
Manchester City are officially world champions!
This is the fifth trophy they've lifted in 2023.
Man City receives winners medals
Pep Guardiola leads City onto the stage to receive their gold medals. Infantino stops stops Pep to share some words with him, which appear to be warmly received.
Fluminense receive silver medals, Pep and Diniz share a moment
After receiving a guard of honour from Manchester City's players, Fluminense are now receiving their silver medals from FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
On his way up to the stage, Fluminense manager Fernando Diniz stops and has a warm embrace and discussion with Pep Guardiola, with Marcelo getting in on the laughs as well.
Al Ahly receive bronze medals
After multiple teams of referees received recognition for their work during this tournament, we're now into the team medals.
Al Ahly are receiving their bronze medals after defeating Urawa Red Diamonds 4-2 earlier today in the third place play-off.
Advertisement
Rodri's ankle appeared OK
(Getty Images)
When Rodri received the Golden Ball award for the tournament's best player, he seemed to have a slight limp, but there was no presence of ice or anything else.
That has to be a positive sign regarding his potential ankle injury that forced him off during the second half, although he might not be back immediately.
Kaka in the house, Rodri wins Golden Ball
(Getty Images)
Kaka has brought out the Club World Cup trophy, and we're now into the presentation of the individual awards.
- Golden Ball: Rodri
- Silver Ball: Kyle Walker
- Bronze Ball: John Arias of Fluminense
- Fair Play Award: Al Ittihad
Foden: 'So important for the club'
(Getty Images)
With his goal in the 72nd minute, Phil Foden became the first English player to score in a Club World Cup final since Wayne Rooney did so for Manchester United in 2008. Both players did so while aged 23.
After the final whistle, Foden spoke to FIFA's interviewer: "It was an unbelievable match. Fair play to them, I love the way they play with short passes. They didn't make it easy for us.
"But the lads showed not only quality, showed heart and determination. We're not used to the heat. I'm delighted with the outcome.
"This is so important for the club. I'm delighted. It is massive for the club."
Pep makes it four
(Getty Images)
Not to be outdone by his players, Pep Guardiola has also written himself into the record books with Manchester City's win. He becomes the first coach to win this tournament four times, having previously won it in 2009 and 2011 with Barcelona and in 2013 with Bayern Munich. He surpasses Carlo Ancelotti, who has three Club World Cup titles.
Sign Kovacic, win Club World Cup, it's that simple
(Getty Images)
Julian Alvarez isn't the only player who has just made a piece of history. Mateo Kovacic has just won the Club World Cup with his third different team, after also doing so in 2016 and 2017 with Real Madrid and in 2021 with Chelsea.
Advertisement
Historic scoreline
(Getty Images)
Julian Alvarez's second goal made a bit of Club World Cup history for Manchester City. Their 4-0 win equals the biggest victory in the history of the tournament's final, matching Barcelona's 4-0 win over Brazilian side Santos in 2011.
Job done for City
(Getty Images)
Without wanting to sound like a broken record, this is what you get with the Club World Cup these days. City can only beat what is put in front of them, and they have done all that is expected and more this week, but both of their games have ended up looking like pre-season friendlies, and they have been against the champions of Asia and South America.
The heat does not help matters, either, neither does the poor quality pitch, so it is no wonder that this match petered out near the end. For City it is job done, they earn the official title of the best team in the world.
Emotions boil over
(Getty Images)
Walker is shown forcefully shoving a Fluminense player, who comes right back at him before FIFA's stream immediately cuts to a shot of the crowd.
Let us have some fun FIFA! Fittingly, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" is playing on the stadium speakers.
Things seem to have calmed down now.
Load more updates
ncG1vNJzZmismJqutbTLnquim16YvK57y6KtnmWSobyov46mmKebmJrAtbHRZpqirKlis63BzKKlnqajmnqttdWeZK6olJbBpr%2BMn6CfmV2YubaujLCmq6SUYrC2vIysmqiqlWK%2Fpr%2FUpatogZiHvJS1xIWOh3ClZA%3D%3D