Manchester City crowned FIFA Club World Cup winners for the first time

Gulf Today Report

Manchester City won the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time in its history, defeating Brazil's Fluminense FC 4-0 in the final of the 20th edition, which took place on Friday evening at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The Champions League winner succeeded in winning the title in its first participation in the Club World Cup, becoming the first English club to achieve this feat.

City imposed its superiority over the final early on with the fastest goal ever scored in the tournament, netted by Julian Alvarez after 42 seconds of the game. Nino, a Brazilian Fluminense defender, added the second goal by mistake in his own net at the 27th minute. In the second half, Phil Foden added the third goal for his team at the 72nd minute, while Alvarez scored the fourth goal, and his second, at the 89th minute.

The Spaniard Pep Guardiola became the first coach to win four FIFA Club World Cup titles, surpassing Italian Carlo Ancelotti, who has 3 titles to his name.

Manchester City's Phil Foden and Kyle Walker pose for a picture after the FIFA Club World Cup final. AFP

Guardiola celebrated calmly by walking across to console Fluminense coach Fernando Diniz with a handshake and arm on his shoulder. Guardiola was later hugging and smiling with Felipe Melo.

Fluminense started with six players born in the 1980s, and bristled with perceived disrespect when told on Thursday of British media drawing attention to the age of its veteran team. City’s oldest player in the starting lineup, 33-year-old Walker, was born in May 1990.

Fluminense’s most celebrated player, Marcelo, exited after one hour to warm applause and a handshake on the touchline with City substitute Mateo Kovačić, his former teammate at Real Madrid.

One of Marcelo’s first touches in the game was an unwise long pass from defence that let Aké advance in space to shoot.