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Mission accomplished for this assignment in the east of Manchester, majority-owned by Abu Dhabi royalty: first England, then Europe and now the World Cup for Pep Guardiola’s conquering team.
Manchester City’s only remaining battle to win will take place behind the hermetically sealed doors of the Premier League’s independent commission, although for now it is difficult to blame Guardiola and his players for their triumph. They have won, all over England, every one and every week, all over Europe and now, in the sweltering heat of the Red Sea coast, they have crushed the most productive in South America.
The FIFA Club World Cup could be one of the key elements of Champions League success, but it will have to be won in the midst of a gruelling Premier League season and tricky situations in Saudi Arabia. This is the fifth trophy of 2023 in what has been a surprising year for Guardiola’s project.
As the clock ticked down to mid-afternoon in Jeddah, at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium, they unfurled a banner proclaiming their players “the most productive team in the country and the world. “A song sung by City enthusiasts since the 1970s and during the years when it was absurdly forgotten the truth on the pitch. But, incredibly, the prophecy finally came true on Friday night in Jeddah.
If there was a figurative cloud on the horizon, it was the injury to Rodri, who was a big presence at City. He looked like he had injured his right knee and, after some depressing exchanges with the bench, left. – even though he limped up to the level to get his Player of the Tournament award. Guardiola said it was a “scare” and the first symptoms were that it was not as serious as initially feared.
City rose to all the demanding situations and while the margin of victory was firm, it must be said that Fluminense, who won the Copa Libertadores last year, pushed them strongly in the first half. At the end, there was a poignant Moment: FIFA invited the wonderful Brazilian Kaka to pull out the trophy before it was overlooked. It was the 2008 standout world star who Garry Cook, City’s chief executive at the time, accused of “bottling it up” by refusing to sign up. his new club.
How the global is changing. There’s another impressive performance from Rodri. The same goes for Argentina’s World Cup winner and now Club World Cup winner, Julian Alvarez. And then there’s that pale, thin boy from Stockport, Phil Foden. He scored the third goal and scored the second, and chased down each and every pass and area when Fluminense threatened.
City traveled around the world to build Guardiola’s team, but they discovered Foden in Greater Manchester and he has developed into the type of modern, highly professional English player who can pass for a Brazilian. There is no sign of City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi. real who is everything. His deputy leader in Abu Dhabi and the city’s president, Khaldoon Al-Mubarak, represented the assets on FIFA’s VIP list.
Afterwards, Guardiola announced “the end of a chapter” and thanked everyone during his 8 years at City, from Vincent Kompany and Mikel Arteta to Ilkay Gundogan and even Joao Cancelo. “Now it’s time to buy another ebook and start writing again. “” he said. The players are hungry and motivated. In fact, I’m pleased for many other people who have been at the club for many years. It’s a wonderful day, I never thought that when we got to Manchester we could just do this and the World Cup is over.
The Brazilian side had started strongly but as their older generation, including Marcelo, Felipe Melo and Ganso, faded and had to be replaced, the outcome was inevitable. They had conceded on 41 seconds after a Marcelo mistake and then sparkled for 20 minutes in which they out-passed City before eventually being broken. Not long after the final whistle they lost their cool and there was a scuffle in the centre of the pitch which seemed to be Melo targeting Kyle Walker.
This was the biggest match of Fluminense’s 121-year history and they approached it without making much adjustment for the side they were facing. For a short period after Alvarez’s first goal, a rebound from Nathan Ake’s shot, it was thrilling. Guardiola said the game could have been different if Fluminense had scored. “When you concede like that in the first minute, a real punch in the face,” he said, “it takes a lot to then play better.”
“Who in aggregate has been able to beat Manchester City for 15 minutes?said Fluminense coach Fernando Diniz. We did it and it’s the most productive component of the game for us. City play very hard and have five giant boys who are strong. and fast and we had to do things collectively. . . We were able to have maximum ownership against the most productive club in the world for a while. We were brave and didn’t submit.
Foden created the second goal on 27 minutes – a cross deflected in off the lunging leg of Fluminense captain Nino. The third was scored by Foden from Alvarez’s cross and killed the game. By the time the Argentine got the fourth, Fluminense were finished. Guardiola said later he had made some adjustments at half-time to his team’s pressing – and once again his players made it look easy.
Gianni Infantino hands the trophy over to Kyle Walker and the Manchester City captain lifts it into the night sky.
In typical FIFA fashion, they have strived to make this rite as big as possible. Manchester City are now receiving their medals and are on the verge of taking the trophy.
They were comfortably defeated tonight, Fluminense took second place.
Egypt’s Al-Ahly beat Urawa Red Diamonds 4-2 to take third place.
Before Walker and Rodri won their awards, Fluminense’s Jhon Arias took home the Bronze Ball.
He’s still only 23 just remember… ? pic.twitter.com/Uw66buUrzI
– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 22, 2023
And he was named man of the match in the final:
Presentation of the Man of the Match for the final of the #ClubWC! ⭐️ pic. twitter. com/dMVjQbQpJS
– Manchester City (@ManCity) December 22, 2023
And Walker’s teammate Rodri is awarded the Golden Ball award for the best player of the Club World Cup.
Manchester City’s Kyle Walker wins the Silver Ball.
Al-Ittihad the Fair Play Award.
Another addition to the trophy cabinet! ?That’s 38 major honours as manager now for Pep Guardiola! ? pic.twitter.com/BHdKE8fCTW
– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 22, 2023
Former Brazil, AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder Kaka brings out the trophy.
Manchester City are just minutes away from receiving the trophy when FIFA president Gianni Infantino is greeted on stage.
“It was an unbelievable match. Fair play to them – I love the way they play. They’re a great side and they didn’t make it easy today.
“I think the boys showed heart, quality and determination. We are not used to playing in this heat, so it is difficult. But we are very happy with the result.
WORLD CHAMPIONS! ?? pic. twitter. com/QShqsMf35X
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 22, 2023
After the final whistle, a fight ensued, as you can see in the photo below with Felipe Melo and Kyle Walker in the center. Melo seemed to want to fight throughout the match.
Manchester City are the first English side to win the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup in the same year.????? pic.twitter.com/0RcVtfFMdt
– Squawka (@Squawka) December 22, 2023
4 – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has won the FIFA Club World Cup more times than any manager (4: 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2023), beating Carlo Ancelotti (3) with a win aquí. Pionnier. pic. twitter. com /FTM1laJfCm
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 22, 2023
The referee shows sympathy towards Fluminense by adding no time and blowing the whistle right on 90 minutes. Manchester City are champions of the world. That was a very comfortable 4-0 win and shortly they will receive the trophy.
FULL-TIME | #ClubWC WINNERS! ??? 4-0 ? #ManCity pic.twitter.com/MmRfc6fYxE
– Manchester City (@ManCity) December 22, 2023
FT: Man City 4-0 Fluminense Manchester City’s magnificent 2023 is coming to an end! ? pic. twitter. com/VLMkW0Zwqh
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 22, 2023
Clinical finish from Álvarez and it will close a strong night for Manchester City. Nunes has an area on the right and unearths Álvarez in the center. He fakes the first result and then crashes it into the far corner.
Julián Álvarez makes it 4-0 and Manchester City take the win!? Totally deserved! ? pic. twitter. com/cFmZvAckjO
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 22, 2023
Another yellow card for Fluminense, this time for Kennedy for a foul on Nunes.
Pep Guardiola makes a double substitution and Foden and Ake are replaced by Matheus Nunes and Bobb.
Good shot from Kennedy. The complex by Manchester City despite the tension of several Manchester City defenders and received his long-range shot that went over the crossbar through Ederson. The corner is cleared.
Rodri had come back on but he isdown again and is now going to be replaced. Stones is also going off as Gvardiol and Akanji come on.
Nino is replaced by Marlon for Fluminense as they make their last substitution.
That’s it and Manchester City will be world champions. Foden scores his goal this time and it may not be an own goal. Alvarez moves towards the back post where Foden is on his way home. 3-0 and it’s over.
Phil Foden scores a goal for Manchester City! ? The European champions make it 3-0 and it seems that there is no turning back for Fluminense. . . pic. twitter. com/ELLDednUYP
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 22, 2023
Rodri is back on his feet but is still looking uncomfortable. You would imagine Pep Guardiola will take no risks with him, especially as this game is basically done.
Alexsander temporarily followed Marcelo in the referee’s book for a foul on Rodri. He was given back part of the ball, but he was penalized for follow-up. Nothing more than a yellow card. Rodri is still undergoing treatment.
Lima brilliantly pulls off the signing and digs up Kennedy. But Manchester City managed to surround him and managed to dispossess him.
Stones has a chance from a Manchester City corner on the right, but his header goes wide.
Three more adjustments for Fluminense with the substitution of Marcelo, Melo and Ganso for Alexsander, Lima and Barbosa.
Marcelo applauded Fluminense! ? pic. twitter. com/Q90D5xDww7
– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 22, 2023
Manchester City make their first substitution: Kovacic replaces Lewis.
Marcelo is the first to intervene tonight in a late inning against Lewis. It’s a moment of frustration for the former Real Madrid full-back, who also showed his frustration at the end of the first half by firing the ball into the net.
Almost 3-0. They play perfectly the free kick on Foden in the box and his shot is saved by Fabio.
Lewis goes down inside the Fluminense box but nothing given as Marcelo got the ball. But once again Fluminense give the ball away and Manchester City have a corner. It is played out to the edge of the area where Grealish is fouled…
Grealish tries a cross from the left with the outside of his boot, but it’s nowhere near any of his teammates. He may have discovered Foden with a short pass, but opted for the cross that didn’t work.
Manchester City came close to making it 3-0 early in the second half. Foden takes a shot from the edge of the box and Fabio saves it. But he fell into the path of Bernardo, who was heading towards the goal, but Fabio left. Go back to save.
Manchester City are potentially forty-five minutes away from becoming world champions.
Fluminense have made a change at the break as John Kennedy comes on for Keno.
Is this game already finished and dusted off or can Fluminense find a way to get back into this game?Don’t forget that you can give your opinion in the comments segment at the back of the blog.
6 – Julián Álvarez has scored in six other competitions as a Manchester City player (PL, UCL, FA Cup, League Cup, Community Shield and FIFA CWC), and no Premier League player has scored more since joining the club. Collection . pic. twitter . com/a8N23TX9iL
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 22, 2023
That is that for the first half and Manchester City lead 2-0 at the break thanks to a goal in the first minute by Julian Alvarez and an own goal.
HALF-TIME | We lead at the break! ?? 2-0 ? #ManCity | #ClubWC pic.twitter.com/oxWgfIVQOQ
– Manchester City (@ManCity) December 22, 2023
There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this first half.
He cut back with his right foot and shot from outside Fluminense’s domain and Fabio got his hands on him and pushed him away.
Fluminense had their first corner of the night when Ake deflected a cross from Arias behind. Marcelo took a shot and Arias’ header went brilliantly past Ederson. It may have been a comeback goal for Fluminense.
Cano decides to shoot from a distance, about 40 meters in fact, to try to throw Ederson, but his attempt fails.
Foden is discovered from a corner at the front of the domain, but misses his shot.
Grealish lifted the ball in Foden’s path inside the Fluminense box and his shot was blocked for a corner. But before that, there will be a break to cool off. . .
2-0 to Manchester City and is that already game, set and match? Rodri plays a superb pass into the path of Foden on the left-hand side of the penalty area. Foden crosses the ball, it deflects off Nino and loops into the far corner. It will definitely go down as an own goal.
Misfortune moves for Fluminense as Man City doubles their lead!⚽️ pic. twitter. com/OYPaYN8shy
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 22, 2023
Manchester City have a free-kick on the left inside Fluminense’s half after Grealish was fouled. Bernardo flicks it to Alvarez who drives towards the Fluminense box. He strikes from distance but his shot is blocked.
“Fluminense have been magnificent since conceding that careless goal in the first minute. They came out of their own six-yard box and changed the game from one flank to the other. They’re making City work, which is ideal in this heat. “Guardiola takes the ball.
Obviously, Fluminense will stay true to their positions and continue to play from the back. It’s bold, but is it silly?
Fluminense have a penalty but the offside lag has gone up. Ederson gives the ball away softly and Cano is sent through on goal. He goes around Ederson, who takes him down. But Cano was fractionally offside so no penalty.
It was another poignant moment for the Fluminense fans, as Fabio almost charged just a few meters from his own goal. Manchester City appreciate the fact that Fluminense are taking on so much danger in their own area.
Arias made Fluminense’s first attempt of the night, but his shot from outside the box went well over Ederson’s crossbar.
What does Fluminense do? It’s now the third time they’ve lost control of their own half in the first six minutes, but once behind, Manchester City deserve it, as Lewis’ pass is poor in the penalty area.
Once again, Fluminense lost the ball in their own area, but this time Foden may not deserve it as he made too many touches outside the Fluminense area.
Manchester City take the lead after just 40 seconds. Marcelo gives the ball away so pathetically in his own half and Ake can stride forward with the ball. He shoots from range and his curling effort comes back off the post. Alvarez is on hand to chest the rebound into the net and Manchester City lead inside a minute.
Man City take the lead inside 40 seconds through Julian Alvarez!! ?What a start from the Cityzens! ? pic.twitter.com/9nwSq8BTqA
– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 22, 2023
We’re on our way to Jeddah. Who will win the FIFA Club World Cup final?Will it be Manchester City or Fluminense?
Both have come out of the tunnel and we are just a few minutes away from the start of the Club World Cup final.
City of Manchester: Ederson; Walker, Piedras, Dias, Ake; Lewis, Rodri; Foden, Silva, Grealish; Alvarez.
Substitutes: Ortega, Carson, Phillips, Kovacic, Gómez, Gvardiol, Akanji, Nunes, Bobb, Alleyne, Susoho, Hamilton.
Fluminense: Fabio; Xavier, Niño, Melo, Marcelo; André, Martinelli; Arias, Goose, Keno; Cano.
Substitutes: Rangel, Eudes, Marlon, Alexsander, Kennedy, Daniel, Guga, Santos, González, Barbosa, Braz, Lima.
“It will be a FIFA opening and closing ceremony without the presence of famous underage French DJ David Guetta and, in fact, here he is in Jeddah, at 56 years old, as excited as ever for his comfortable space dance medleys and his large fees for appearing at FIFA. “
It’s almost time! ??#ManCity | #ClubWC pic.twitter.com/d2gZcRAeZM
– Manchester City (@ManCity) December 22, 2023
“It’s still hot in Jeddah, but it’s much more humid tonight than it was at the beginning of the week for the semi-finals. Pep Guardiola is scathing about the state of the pitch after the half-win over Al-Ahly. Manchester City will also have to deal with the heat and it’s actually better to stick to the same old plan and hold the ball.
Former Manchester City and Argentina right-back Pablo Zabaleta is in Jeddah to cheer on his former club:
Good to see you, @pablo_zabaleta! ? #ManCity | #ClubWC https://t. co/2D7DIqf40P pic. twitter. com/oFO66q01nc
– Manchester City (@ManCity) December 22, 2023
Who do you think will be in the Club World Cup final tonight?Will Manchester City become the fourth English club to win the trophy or will Fluminense see their call for the trophy for the first time?the comments segment at the back of the blog.
He won 25 trophies with Real Madrid, but Marcelo has returned to where it all started for him, at Fluminense. They’ve never won this trophy and neither have Manchester City, so tonight a new call-up will be recorded on that trophy.
?✨? pic. twitter. com/N90mwFwDJS
— Fluminense F. C. (@FluminenseFC) December 22, 2023
What do you make of Manuel Akanji’s orange bucket hat?
Welcome to King Abdullah Sports City, guys! ? #ManCity | #ClubWC pic. twitter. com/UTUYn9tVoS
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 22, 2023
This translates to “All together. For this moment. ” Fluminense is a big underdog tonight, so they have nothing to lose.
Todos juntos. Por esse momento. pic.twitter.com/zMFaH7uu9W
— Fluminense F.C. (@FluminenseFC) December 22, 2023
Pep Guardiola has made three adjustments since his 3-0 win over Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-finals on Tuesday. Julián Álvarez, Rubén Dias and Rico Lewis come on.
City of Manchester: Ederson; Walker, Piedras, Dias, Ake; Lewis, Rodri; Foden, Silva, Grealish; Alvarez.
Substitutes: Ortega, Carson, Phillips, Kovacic, Gómez, Gvardiol, Akanji, Nunes, Bobb, Alleyne, Susoho, Hamilton.
Former Real Madrid left-back Marcelo makes his debut for Copa Libertadores winners Fluminense. In midfield is André, who is linked with a move to the Premier League.
Fluminense: Fabio; Xavier, Niño, Melo, Marcelo; André, Martinelli; Arias, Goose, Keno; Cano.
Substitutes: Rangel, Eudes, Marlon, Alexsander, Kennedy, Daniel, Guga, Santos, González, Barbosa, Braz, Lima.
In the 3rd and 4th play-off matches, Egyptian side Al-Ahly, who lost to Fluminense in the semi-finals, beat Urawa Red Diamonds, whom Manchester City beat 4-2 to win the bronze.
FT: Al Ahly 4-2 Urawa It’s Cairo that stands on the podium at the FIFA Club World Cup this season ? pic. twitter. com/NlmeJGPigV
– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 22, 2023
Are you in today’s game? First, take a look at those bets and loose donations.
OR #TIMEDEGUERREIROS IS SCALED TO FACE MANCHESTER CITY, THE GREAT FINAL OF THE FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP. COME ON, FLUMINENSE! ?? pic. twitter. com/5oodasxAwx
— Fluminense F.C. (@FluminenseFC) December 22, 2023
Our definitive line-up for the #ClubWC ?XI | Ederson, Walker (C), Stones, Dias, Ake, Rodrigo, Lewis, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish, AlvarezSUBS | Ortega Moreno, Carson, Phillips, Kovacic, Gomez, Gvardiol, Akanji, Nunes, Bobb, Alleyne, Susoho, Hamilton#ManCity pic. twitter. com/YVPTOnm41z
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 22, 2023
Manchester City are champions of England and Europe, but tonight they have a chance to become world champions. On Tuesday, they beat Urawa Red Diamonds 3-0 in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup and reached the final thanks to goals from Mateo Kovacic. Bernardo Silva and an own goal. Tonight in Jeddah, their opponents will be Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense after the Brazilian side beat Egypt’s Al-Ahly 2-0 in Monday’s semifinals.
Ahead of the game, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola praised tonight’s clashes.
“The way they play, they never played with them,” Guardiola said. “I love it. I love to build. I love the way they come together.
“They play a typical Brazil style from the 1970s, ‘80s, early ‘90s – until 1994, when they won the World Cup in the United States.
“We will have to impose our rhythm and our positional game as best we can and put in a smart performance, because we know that without that it will be very difficult to win the final. “
Pep Guardiola has already experienced success in the Club World Cup; he won it twice with Barcelona and once as manager of Bayern Munich. He could become the first manager to win the trophy with three different clubs.
Manchester City are looking for the fourth English club to win the Club World Cup after Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea. The omens are not on Fluminense’s side; The European groups are unbeaten in their last 21 Club World Cup matches, dating back to 2012, when Corinthians beat Chelsea 1-0.
Manchester City are expected to be without Erling Haaland, Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku tonight.
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