Manchester City 4-0 Fluminense: Julian Alvarez scores twice as English side win Fifa Club World Cup

Julian Alvarez scored twice as Manchester City won the Fifa Club World Cup for the first time by beating Brazilians Fluminense in Saudi Arabia.

They added a second before the break when Nino turned Phil Foden’s cross into the back of his own net.

England’s Foden then got on the scoresheet himself in the second half when he darted through the middle to prod in Alvarez’s cross, before the Argentine forward got his second in the 88th minute with a clinical strike into the far corner.

Success meant City emulated Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea in lifting the Club World Cup, but became the first English side to win five trophies in a calendar year.

The Treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League last season was followed by the Uefa Super Cup in August.

But some of the shine was taken off their victory by the sight of Rodri – so influential for the side – going off injured towards the end of the second half.

Meanwhile, Egyptian side Al Ahly claimed third place with a 4-2 win against Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan.

City seal another title to round off memorable 2023

City’s win in Jeddah completed a trophy-laden and unforgettable year for the club.

Although winning the Club World Cup has often carried less importance for English sides, Guardiola had spoken of his determination to “close the circle” and lift the trophy he believed would complete City’s collection.

While this was their first appearance in the tournament, Guardiola had won it before with Barcelona and Bayern Munich and underlined his desire to triumph again by naming a strong line-up.

The outcome was a dominant display by the reigning Premier League champions, with goalkeeper Ederson largely untested aside from a Jhon Arias header just before half-time, and a late John Kennedy strike.

City will celebrate before switching focus back to domestic matters, with their next game an away trip to Everton on Wednesday, 27 December.

With one win in their last six Premier League games, they will hope to use the momentum of their confident victory, and accolades of being crowned world champions, to get their title defence back on track.

More to follow.

Player of the match

ÁlvarezJulián Álvarez

with an average of 8.24

Manchester City

1. Squad number19Player nameÁlvarez

   Average rating

   8.24

2. Squad number47Player nameFoden

   Average rating

   8.12

3. Squad number16Player nameRodri

   Average rating

   7.87

4. Squad number20Player nameBernardo Silva

   Average rating

   7.81

5. Squad number6Player nameAké

   Average rating

   7.61

6. Squad number3Player nameRúben Dias

   Average rating

   7.50

7. Squad number5Player nameStones

   Average rating

   7.43

8. Squad number10Player nameGrealish

   Average rating

   7.39

9. Squad number2Player nameWalker

   Average rating

   7.39

10. Squad number31Player nameEderson

    Average rating

    7.23

11. Squad number8Player nameKovacic

    Average rating

    7.12

12. Squad number82Player nameLewis

    Average rating

    7.10

13. Squad number25Player nameAkanji

    Average rating

    7.09

14. Squad number27Player nameMatheus Nunes

    Average rating

    7.08

15. Squad number24Player nameGvardiol

    Average rating

    7.03

16. Squad number52Player nameBobb

    Average rating

    6.94

Fluminense

1. Squad number9Player nameJohn Kennedy

   Average rating

   5.26

2. Squad number12Player nameMarcelo

   Average rating

   5.16

3. Squad number1Player nameFábio

   Average rating

   4.95

4. Squad number4Player nameMarlon

   Average rating

   4.92

5. Squad number40Player nameDiogo Barbosa

   Average rating

   4.89

6. Squad number8Player nameMartinelli

   Average rating

   4.88

7. Squad number10Player namePaulo Henrique Ganso

   Average rating

   4.83

8. Squad number7Player nameAndré

   Average rating

   4.83

9. Squad number21Player nameArias

   Average rating

   4.81

10. Squad number14Player nameCano

    Average rating

    4.72

11. Squad number45Player nameLima

    Average rating

    4.70

12. Squad number30Player nameFelipe Melo

    Average rating

    4.68

13. Squad number11Player nameKeno

    Average rating

    4.65

14. Squad number2Player nameSamuel Xavier

    Average rating

    4.64

15. Squad number5Player nameAlexsander

    Average rating

    4.61

16. Squad number33Player nameNino

    Average rating

    4.60

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