Manchester City put on a dazzling performance as they crushed Juventus 5–2 in a thrilling final Group G match at the FIFA Club World Cup. With five different goals involving a mix of stars and an own goal, Pep Guardiola’s team proved their attacking depth and tactical brilliance.
This big win sends a powerful message to all other teams in the tournament City are here not just to compete, but to win it all.
Early Goals Set the Stage for City’s Dominance
The match began at a blistering pace, and Jérémy Doku wasted no time getting on the scoresheet. In just the 9th minute, he dribbled past two defenders and slotted the ball past the Juventus keeper to give City an early lead.However, Juventus responded quickly through Teun Koopmeiners, who equalized in the 11th minute with a long-range rocket that beat Ederson. For a moment, the match looked like it could turn into a tight contest.
Then came a stroke of bad luck for Juventus. Pierre Kalulu mistakenly redirected a City cross into his own net in the 26th minute, giving City a 2–1 lead and swinging momentum back their way.
City boss Pep Guardiola praised the early intensity:
“We started strong, stayed aggressive, and took control quickly. The energy and movement in the final third were excellent.”
Haaland, Foden, and Savinho Seal the Deal
After the break, City looked even sharper. In the 52nd minute, Erling Haaland scored a classic poacher’s goal. The Norwegian striker timed his run perfectly, pounced on a rebound, and tapped the ball into the net. It was his 3rd goal of the tournament.
Phil Foden added another in the 69th minute, finishing a brilliant team move that involved quick passes from Silva and Gvardiol. Foden’s creativity and composure have made him one of City’s most important players in this tournament.City weren’t done yet. Young Brazilian winger Savinho joined the party in the 75th minute, curling a stunning shot from the edge of the box into the top corner. The goal highlighted City’s squad depth, with even the bench players capable of world-class moments.
Foden said after the match:
“We played like a team hungry for goals. It’s great to be through, and the job is only just beginning.”
Juventus Fight Back but Fall Short
Despite being outplayed, Juventus never gave up. They managed to pull one back in the 84th minute through Dušan Vlahović, who calmly converted a through-ball after slipping past City’s backline. It was a good finish but came too late to affect the outcome.
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri admitted City were too strong:
“They played at another level tonight. We had some good spells, but they punished us every time we left a gap.”
Juventus still qualified for the Round of 16, finishing second in the group, but the heavy defeat exposed some defensive issues they’ll need to fix quickly.
Tactical Brilliance and Depth Shine for Manchester City
What stood out most in this match was City’s flexibility and squad depth. Guardiola used a mix of youth and experience, and every player contributed. The movement of Foden, the speed of Doku, and Haaland’s finishing made City unstoppable in attack. Club world cup 2025 updates
Guardiola made strategic rotations, giving rest to key players while testing younger stars, like Savinho and Bobb. The midfield trio controlled possession, and the defense was solid except for the two goals conceded.
City captain Rúben Dias commented:
“We knew Juventus would be tough, but we stuck to the plan. We attacked together, defended together. That’s the City way.”
Round of 16 Awaits for Both Giants
With this win, Manchester City top Group G with 9 points and a +10 goal difference. Their next match in the Round of 16 could be against strong teams like Real Madrid or PSG, depending on the draw. But they look confident and ready.
Juventus, despite the heavy loss, still move forward. Their earlier wins gave them enough cushion, and now they must regroup and fix their defensive problems before their next challenge.Fans can expect fireworks in the knockout stages as both teams push for Club World Cup glory.
Reactions from Fans and Experts
Social media buzzed with reactions after the match. City fans were overjoyed at the dominant display:
“That was pure City magic! Every goal was a beauty. Foden is on fire, and Savinho is a star in the making!” – a fan on X
