Manchester City delivered a commanding performance at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, thrashing Al Ain 6-0 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium to secure a place in the Round of 16 with a game to spare. The match saw Rayan Cherki score on his debut, while Ilkay Gundogan netted a brace in a dominant Group G display.
⚽ Goals Galore: City’s Ruthless Attack
- Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoring in the 8th minute with a looping cross-shot and added a second in the 73rd minute with a composed finish.
- Claudio Echeverri, the 19-year-old Argentine, curled in a stunning free-kick in the 27th minute for his first City goal.
- Erling Haaland converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time after a VAR-reviewed foul on Manuel Akanji.
- Oscar Bobb and Rayan Cherki added late goals in the 84th and 89th minutes, respectively, with Cherki’s debut strike assisted by Haaland.
🧠 Tactical Rotation and Squad Depth
Pep Guardiola made 11 changes to his starting XI from the previous match, showcasing City’s squad depth. Despite the overhaul, the Premier League champions dominated possession (74%) and outshot Al Ain 21-5.
“We played a little bit better than the first game, especially in the second half,” Guardiola said post-match.
🏆 Group G Standings and What’s Next
City now sit second in Group G, level on points with Juventus, who lead on goal difference. The two sides will face off in Orlando to determine the group winner and avoid a potential clash with Real Madrid in the next round.
Stay tuned for updates on Manchester City’s Club World Cup campaign.
