City win Club World Cup final
Sophia Edwards Man City 4-0 Fluminense
Mission accomplished for that east Manchester sporting project majority owned by an Abu Dhabi royal: first England, then Europe, and now the world for Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering team
The only fight left for Manchester City to win will be behind the firmly-closed doors of that Premier League independent commission when it comes, although for now it is hard to begrudge Guardiola and his players their triumph. They have won everywhere – up and down England every week, across Europe and now in the sweltering heat of the Red Sea coast they swatted away the best of South America.
The Fifa Club World Cup might be one of the bolt-ons to Champions League success but, nevertheless, it has to be won in the midst of a draining Premier League season in difficult conditions in Saudi Arabia. It is the fifth trophy of 2023 in what has been an astonishing year for the Guardiola project.
As the clock ticked towards midnight in Jeddah, at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester they unfurled a banner proclaiming their players, “The best team in the land and all the world”. A song sung by City fans since the 1970s and through the years when it was absurdly far from the reality on the pitch. But, incredibly, finally the prophecy came true on this Friday night in Jeddah.
If there was a figurative cloud on the horizon, then it was an injury to Rodri, again a giant presence in the City team. He seemed to do some damage to his right knee and, after some terse exchanges with the bench, he came off – although he came on stage without limping to receive his prize for player of the tournament. Guardiola said it was a “scare” and the early signs were that it was not as bad as first feared.
City have risen to every challenge and although the margin of victory was emphatic it should be said that Fluminense, the Copa Libertadores winners earlier this year, pushed them hard in the first half. At the end a poignant moment – Fifa had invited the Brazilian great Kaka to bring out the trophy ahead of its presentation. This was famously the 2008 world star whom Garry Cook, City chief executive at the time, accused of “bottling it” by turning down a move to his newly-minted club.
How the world changes. There was another towering performance from Rodri. So too the Argentinian World Cup winner, and now Club World Cup winner, Julian Alvarez. And also that pale skinny kid from Stockport, Phil Foden. He scored the third goal and made the second, and he chased down every pass and space when Fluminense was dangerous.
City have been all around the world to build the team for Guardiola, but they found Foden in Greater Manchester and he has developed into the kind of highly-skilful modern English player that could pass for a Brazilian. No sign of City’s owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, the Abu Dhabi royal who started it all. His Abu Dhabi chief lieutenant, and City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak, represented the ownership in the Fifa VIP line-up.
Later, Guardiola announced “the closing of a chapter” and thanked everyone in his eight years at City from Vincent Kompany to Mikel Arteta to Ilkay Gundogan and even Joao Cancelo. “Now it’s time to buy another book and start to write again,” he said. “The players are still hungry and motivated. I’m really pleased for many people in the club for many years. It’s a beautiful, beautiful day, I could never think when we arrived in Manchester we could do this and finish with the World Cup.”
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 the world was able to out-pass Manchester City for 15 minutes?” said Fluminense manager Fernando Diniz. “We did it and that was the best [part of the] game for us. City play really hard and they have five giant guys who are strong and fast and we had to do things collectively... we were able to have the most possession against the best club in the world for a certain period of time. We were brave and we did not 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.
Man City vs Fluminense: as it happened
Manchester City champions of the world
Gianni Infantino hands the trophy over to Kyle Walker and the Manchester City captain lifts it into the night sky.
Club World Cup winners
In typical Fifa fashion they have managed to stretch this ceremony out as far as they can. Manchester City now are receiving their medals and are about to get their hands on the trophy.
Second place
They were comfortably beaten tonight but Fluminense take second place.
Third place
Egypt’s Al-Ahly beat Urawa Red Diamonds 4-2 earlier to take third place.
Bronze Ball award
Before Walker and Rodri received their awards Fluminense’s Jhon Arias was given the Bronze Ball award.
Alvarez wins another trophy
And he was named man of the match in the final:
Golden Ball award
And Walker’s teammate Rodri is awarded the Golden Ball award for the best player of the Club World Cup.
Silver Ball award
Manchester City’s Kyle Walker wins the Silver Ball award.
Fair Play award
Al-Ittihad have won the Fair Play award.
38th trophy for Guardiola
Trophy on its way
Former Brazil, AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder Kaka brings out the trophy.
Trophy presentation starting
Manchester City are just a few moments away from receiving the trophy as Fifa president Gianni Infantino is welcomed onto the stage.
Phil Foden speaking to TNT Sports
“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 thought the lads showed heart, quality and determination. We’re not used to playing in this heat so it was difficult. But we’re delighted with the outcome.”
Scrap at the end
After the full-time whistle a scrap ensued, as you can see pictured below with Felipe Melo and Kyle Walker at the centre of it. Melo did look like he was spoiling for a fight all game.
Successful 2023 for Manchester City
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.
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 22, 2023
Three different clubs
4 - Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has now won the FIFA Club World Cup more times than any other manager (4 – 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2023), overtaking Carlo Ancelotti (3) with victory here. Pioneer.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 22, 2023
Full time: Manchester City win the Club World Cup
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.
GOAL! Alvarez makes it 4-0
Clinical finish from Alvarez and that will round off an emphatic night for Manchester City. Nunes has space on the right and finds Alvarez in the centre. He dummies the first-time finish and then smashes it into the far corner.
84 minutes: Manchester City 3 Fluminense 0
Another yellow for Fluminense, this time for Kennedy for a challenge on Nunes.
81 minutes: Manchester City 3 Fluminense 0
Pep Guardiola is making another double change as Foden and Ake are replaced by Matheus Nunes and Bobb.
79 minutes: Manchester City 3 Fluminense 0
Good play from Kennedy. He drives forward inside the Manchester City half despite pressure from a number of Manchester City defenders and he gets his shot away from distance which is tipped over the bar by Ederson. The corner is punched away.
74 minutes: Manchester City 3 Fluminense 0
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 final change.
GOAL! Game, set and match
That is that and Manchester City will be champions of the world. Foden gets his goal this time and it will not be an own goal. Alvarez crosses to the back post where Foden is on hand to slot home. 3-0 and that is game over.
Phil Foden finishes off a brilliant Man City move! 🤩
The European champions make it 3-0 and it looks like there's no way back for Fluminense...
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 22, 2023
70 minutes: Manchester City 2 Fluminense 0
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.
68 minutes: Manchester City 2 Fluminense 0
Alexsander has swiftly followed Marcelo into the referee’s book for a foul on Rodri. He did get some of the ball but what he was penalised for was the follow-through. Nothing more though than a yellow. Rodri is still down receiving treatment.
65 minutes: Manchester City 2 Fluminense 0
Lima does brilliantly on the byline and finds Kennedy. But Manchester City manage to surround him and manage to dispossess him.
62 minutes: Manchester City 2 Fluminense 0
Stones has an opportunity from a Manchester City corner on the right but his header goes well wide.
61 minutes: Manchester City 2 Fluminense 0
Three more changes for Fluminense as Marcelo, Melo and Ganso are replaced by Alexsander, Lima and Barbosa.
Manchester City will make their first change of the night as Kovacic comes on for Lewis.
57 minutes: Manchester City 2 Fluminense 0
Marcelo is the first man into the book tonight for a late challenge on Lewis. A moment of frustration from the former Real Madrid full-back, who showed his frustration at the end of the first half as well by slamming the ball into the ground.
52 minutes: Manchester City 2 Fluminense 0
Nearly 3-0. They play the free-kick neatly into Foden in the box and his shot is well-saved by Fabio.
51 minutes: Manchester City 2 Fluminense 0
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...
50 minutes: Manchester City 2 Fluminense 0
Grealish attempts a cross from the left with the outside of his boot but it is nowhere near any of his teammates. He could have found Foden with a short pass but instead opted for the cross which did not work.
47 minutes: Manchester City 2 Fluminense 0
Manchester City are very close to making it 3-0 right at the start of the second half. Foden takes aim from the edge of the box and Fabio parries it away. But it falls into the path of Bernardo who heads towards goal but Fabio gets down again to make the save.
Second half
We are back under way in Jeddah. Manchester City are potentially just 45 minutes away from becoming champions of the world.
Fluminense have made a change at the break as John Kennedy comes on for Keno.
Have your say
Is this game already done and dusted or can Fluminense find a way back into this game? Remember you can have your say in the comments section at the bottom of the blog.
Another competition, another goal
6 - Julián Álvarez has scored in six different competitions as a Manchester City player (PL, UCL, FA Cup, League Cup, Community Shield and FIFA CWC), with no Premier League player netting in more since he joined the club. Collection.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 22, 2023
Half-time
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.
45 minutes: Manchester City 2 Fluminense 0
There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this first half.
42 minutes: Manchester City 2 Fluminense 0
Close from Grealish. He cuts in on his right foot and shoots from outside the Fluminense box and Fabio gets a hand on it and pushes it away.
40 minutes: Manchester City 2 Fluminense 0
Fluminense have their first corner of the night as Ake deflects Arias’ cross behind. Marcelo whips it in and Arias’ header is brilliantly saved by Ederson. That could have been a goal back for Fluminense.
37 minutes: Manchester City 2 Fluminense 0
Cano decides to hit from distance, around 40 yards out in fact, to try and lob Ederson but his effort goes wide.
35 minutes: Manchester City 2 Fluminense 0
Foden is found directly from the corner on the edge of the box but he fluffs his shot.
32 minutes: Manchester City 2 Fluminense 0
Grealish lifts the ball into the path of Foden inside the Fluminense box and his shot is blocked behind for a corner. Before that is taken though there will be a cooling break...
GOAL! Own goal extends Manchester City's lead
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.
23 minutes: Manchester City 1 Fluminense 0
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.
21 minutes: Manchester City 1 Fluminense 0
“Fluminense have been magnificent since conceding that careless first minute goal. They have passed their way out from their own six-yard box and switched the play from one wing to the other. They are making City run, which is less than ideal in this heat for Guardiola.”
18 minutes: Manchester City 1 Fluminense 0
Fluminense are clearly going to stick to their guns and continue to play out from the back. It is certainly bold, but is it foolish?
16 minutes: Manchester City 1 Fluminense 0
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.
14 minutes: Manchester City 1 Fluminense 0
That was yet another heart-in-mouth moment for Fluminense supporters as Fabio was nearly charged down a matter of yards from his own goal. Manchester City are loving the fact that Fluminense are taking so many risks inside their own box.
12 minutes: Manchester City 1 Fluminense 0
Arias has Fluminense’s first effort of the night but his shot from outside the box goes well over Ederson’s bar.
6 minutes: Manchester City 1 Fluminense 0
What are Fluminense doing? That is now the third time they have lost possession in their own half inside the first six minutes but once again Manchester City cannot take advantage as Lewis’ pass is a poor one inside the penalty area.
4 minutes: Manchester City 1 Fluminense 0
Once again Fluminense lose the ball in their own half but this time Foden cannot take advantage as he takes too many touches just outside the Fluminense box.
GOAL! Alvarez scores in first minute
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.
Kick-off
We are under way in Jeddah. Who will win the Fifa Club World Cup final? Will it be Manchester City or Fluminense?
Kick-off moments away
Both sides have emerged from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off in the Club World Cup final.
Reminder of the team news
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Lewis, Rodri; Foden, Silva, Grealish; Alvarez.
Subs: Ortega, Carson, Phillips, Kovacic, Gomez, Gvardiol, Akanji, Nunes, Bobb, Alleyne, Susoho, Hamilton.
Fluminense: Fabio; Xavier, Nino, Melo, Marcelo; Andre, Martinelli; Arias, Ganso, Keno; Cano.
Subs: Rangel, Eudes, Marlon, Alexsander, Kennedy, Daniel, Guga, Santos, Gonzalez, Barbosa, Braz, Lima.
Closing ceremony
“It would not be a Fifa opening/closing ceremony without the presence of minor celebrity French DJ David Guetta and indeed here he is in Jeddah - at 56 still seemingly as enthusiastic as ever about his soft house dance medleys/large Fifa appearance fees.”
Kick-off fast approaching
Tough conditions in Jeddah
“It is always hot in Jeddah but this evening is notably more humid than earlier in the week for the semi-finals. Pep Guardiola was scathing about the state of the pitch after the semi win over Al-Ahly. Manchester City will also have to cope with the heat and surely best to follow the usual plan and keep the ball.”
Zabaleta's support
Former Manchester City and Argentina right-back Pablo Zabaleta is out in Jeddah cheering on his former club:
Have your say
Who do you think will the Club World Cup final tonight? Will it be Manchester City becoming the fourth English club to win this trophy or will Fluminense get their name on the trophy for the first time? Remember you can have your say in the comments section at the bottom of the blog.
Marcelo's shirt
He won 25 trophies with Real Madrid but Marcelo is now back where it all started for him at Fluminense. They have never won this trophy and neither have Manchester City so a new name will be engraved on this trophy tonight.
Manchester City arrive
What do you make of Manuel Akanji’s orange bucket hat?
Inside the Fluminense dressing room
This translates as “All together. For this moment.” Fluminense are massive underdogs tonight so they really have nothing to lose.
Full team news
Pep Guardiola has made three changes to the side that beat Urawa Red Diamonds 3-0 in the semi-finals on Tuesday. Julian Alvarez, Ruben Dias and Rico Lewis come in.
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Lewis, Rodri; Foden, Silva, Grealish; Alvarez.
Subs: Ortega, Carson, Phillips, Kovacic, Gomez, Gvardiol, Akanji, Nunes, Bobb, Alleyne, Susoho, Hamilton.
Former Real Madrid left-back Marcelo starts for the Copa Libertadores winners Fluminense. Andre, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League, starts in midfield.
Fluminense: Fabio; Xavier, Nino, Melo, Marcelo; Andre, Martinelli; Arias, Ganso, Keno; Cano.
Subs: Rangel, Eudes, Marlon, Alexsander, Kennedy, Daniel, Guga, Santos, Gonzalez, Barbosa, Braz, Lima.
Bronze medal match
In the 3rd/ 4th play-off match, Egyptian side Al-Ahly, who lost to Fluminense in the semi-finals, defeated Urawa Red Diamonds, who Manchester City beat, 4-2 to claim the bronze medal.
Fancy a bet?
Having a bet on today’s match? First take a look at these free bets and betting offers.
Fluminense team news
Manchester City team news
Our #ClubWC final line-up 💪
XI | Ederson, Walker (C), Stones, Dias, Ake, Rodrigo, Lewis, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish, Alvarez
SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Carson, Phillips, Kovacic, Gomez, Gvardiol, Akanji, Nunes, Bobb, Alleyne, Susoho, Hamilton#ManCity
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 22, 2023
Match preview
Manchester City are champions of England and Europe, but tonight they have the opportunity to become champions of the World. They beat 3-0 Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup on Tuesday to reach the final thanks to goals from Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva and an own goal. Their opponents tonight in Jeddah will be Copa Libertadores winners Fluminense, after the Brazilian side beat Egyptian side Al-Ahly 2-0 in their semi-final on Monday.
Ahead of the game, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was very complimentary of their opponents tonight.
“The way they play, we’ve never faced, never,” said Guardiola. “I love it. I love the build-up. I love how they associate between each other.
“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 as possible and do a good performance, because we know without it, it will be so 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 to be the fourth English club to win the Club World Cup after Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea. The omens are not on Fluminense’s side; European teams are unbeaten in their last 21 Club World Cup matches dating back to 2012 when Corinthians beat Chelsea 1-0.
Manchester City are set to be without the services of Erling Haaland, Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku tonight.
