Foden, Alvarez inspire City’s maiden: FIFA Club World Cup win

In the FIFA Club World Cup 2023 final match at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Friday, Manchester City defeated Fluminense 4-0 thanks to goals from Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez. After winning five titles in 2023, the Manchester-based team considered the victory in Jeddah to be historic as well. This year, they have won the Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, and Premier League.

City got off to a terrific start to the game with a commanding performance. After Fluminense keeper Fabio stretched forward to the midfield, Nathan Ake attempted a shot from City’s defence. It took just 40 seconds for Guardiola’s team to make the first breakthrough of the game when Argentine striker Alvarez stooped to chest the rebound ball.

When Foden found himself with plenty of space down the left flank of the box in the 27th minute of play, Ake again kept a through ball to him. The 23-year-old advanced and then held a square pass on the box. Nino, the defender for the Brazilian team, attempted to clear the ball with a slide, but it deflected and beat Fabio as it looped into the bottom corner.

Arias headed home a cross from Keno’s corner in the 40th minute to give Fluminense hope, but Ederson, the City goalie, was ready and moved fast to stop it. The English team attempted to extend the lead before the half ended, but the Fluminense keeper blocked Grealish’s fierce shot from the edge of the box towards the far post after he pushed the ball away.
City took a 2-0 lead into the first half of the match.

City’s attacking play began shortly after the second half began. Fabio made two saves in the 48th minute to deny shots from Grealish and Foden. After winning a free kick in the midfield, City’s custodian stopped Alvarez’s low cross in the fifty-second minute. In the 72nd minute of play, Foden scored his first goal of the game when Alvarez stopped a breathtakingly beautiful low cross on the box, allowing the Englishman to simply tap the ball into the net. The Argentine striker made it 4-0 in the 88th minute with his second goal, which came from a shot to the bottom corner of the box. After defeating the Brazilian team, City successfully maintained a clean sheet and took home their first-ever Club World Cup trophy.