FIFA Club World Cup: Manchester City Begin Title Quest with Commanding 2-0 Win Over Wydad AC

Manchester City’s FIFA Club World Cup campaign got off to a flying start as Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku powered the Premier League champions to a 2-0 victory over Moroccan side Wydad AC in Philadelphia.

FIFA Club World Cup: Manchester City Begin Title Quest with Commanding 2-0 Win Over Wydad AC

Philadelphia [US], June 19: Manchester City kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup journey in emphatic fashion, securing a confident 2-0 win over Wydad AC in Philadelphia. With goals from Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku, City wasted no time in showcasing their attacking dominance, reinforcing their ambition to conquer the global club stage.

Starting with two summer signings — Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki — City also opted to keep their newly appointed captain Bernardo Silva on the bench. But even with a reshuffled lineup, Pep Guardiola’s men found their rhythm instantly.

Within just two minutes, City struck the tournament’s quickest goal so far. A pinpoint cross from Savinho was misjudged by Wydad goalkeeper El Mehdi Benabid, whose loose parry landed at the feet of Phil Foden, who calmly slotted it home to open City’s account.

Wydad, however, showed fight. South African midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch launched an audacious strike that nearly caught Ederson off guard. The City keeper scrambled back and later denied Cassius Mailula with a fine save, ensuring City held their lead.

City doubled their advantage just before half-time in the 42nd minute, as Jeremy Doku expertly volleyed home a corner from Foden, leaving the Moroccan side deflated heading into the break.

In the second half, Erling Haaland and Rodri were introduced before the hour mark, underlining City’s enviable bench strength. The Premier League champions cruised through the remainder of the game with professional poise, offering no opportunities for a Wydad comeback.

Post-Match Reactions:

Speaking to FIFA’s official website, Phil Foden expressed satisfaction with the win:

“I am very happy for the team to start the tournament with a win. It was difficult at times with the heat. They were a top team on the counterattacks. The tournament is very important, not just for me, but for all the players. It is important to get your sharpness now in this big competition.”

Pep Guardiola highlighted the importance of starting strong:

“The first game in the group stages is always the tricky one. We learn from here and the second one will be better. The season will be a long one, but it is important to be here.”

Despite the loss, Wydad defender Fahd Moufi reflected positively on their performance:

“We did a good job against a team as big as Manchester City, despite the defeat. I believe we represented Morocco and the Wydad fans well in this match. We must build on this effort by looking for a positive result against Juventus in the next match.”

With this opening win, Manchester City have laid a strong foundation for their FIFA Club World Cup title aspirations and will look to build momentum as the tournament progresses.