Manchester City, the European champion, secured a 3-0 victory over Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds, advancing to the final of the Club World Cup held in Jeddah. In the title showdown, the English team will face Brazilian side Fluminense, who defeated Egypt’s Al-Ahly the day before.
The Citizens opened the scoring in added time of the first half, as Marius Hoybraten of the Japanese team scored an own goal.
Mateo Kovacevic doubled the lead for Pep Guardiola’s team in the 52nd minute after an assist from Kyle Walker. Just seven minutes later, Bernardo Silva scored the third goal for City with a solo effort, sealing the outcome of the match.
𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐀 #ClubWC 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋!!! 🇸🇦🏆 pic.twitter.com/iMeMi6scrc
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) December 19, 2023
Manchester City’s goal scorer Erling Haaland did not participate in the game as he continues to recover from a foot injury. The Norwegian striker also missed the team’s last two matches in the Premier league. Belgian international Kevin De Bruyne, who resumed training on Monday, did not make it into the squad for this match, and another Belgian national, Jeremy Doku, was also sidelined due to injury.
The tournament final is scheduled for Friday.