Manchester City delivered a commanding performance on Sunday night, June 22, 2025, crushing Al Ain 6-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta to secure their spot in the knockout rounds of the FIFA Club World Cup. The English giants, reigning club champions from 2023, showcased a blend of experience and youthful exuberance, with Ilkay Gündogan leading the charge by netting a brace, including a cheeky chip in the eighth minute and a second goal in the 73rd minute.
Adding to the excitement was 19-year-old Argentine Claudio Echeverri, who made his first start for City and made it count with a stunning free-kick goal in the 27th minute. Echeverri’s strike was the product of months of dedicated practice, as Pep Guardiola revealed: “Since he’s arrived the previous season, three or four months with us at the end of the training session he’d practice the free-kicks with the keeper and the wall alone. The others didn’t.” His hard work paid off as he curled the ball into the top corner, leaving Al Ain’s goalkeeper Khalid Eisa rooted to the spot.
Erling Haaland, who had been waiting for his first goal of the tournament, found the net from the penalty spot just before halftime during stoppage time. The penalty was awarded after a VAR review confirmed a foul by Al Ain’s Ramy Rabia on Manuel Akanji during a corner kick. Haaland calmly slotted the ball to his right, marking his 32nd goal of the season across all competitions.
Manchester City dominated possession throughout, boasting 74% control of the ball and outshooting Al Ain 21-5. They entered the halftime break with a comfortable 3-0 lead, thanks to Gündogan’s opener, Echeverri’s free-kick, and Haaland’s penalty.
The second half saw City continue their relentless assault. Gündogan struck again in the 73rd minute, weaving through defenders after a precise pass from Bernardo Silva before placing the ball past Eisa. The late stages of the match belonged to the substitutes. Oscar Bobb, brought on in the latter half, netted the fifth goal in the 84th minute with a well-crafted finish after weaving in from the right wing.
Rayan Cherki, making his Man City debut after coming on for Silva, capped off the scoring in the 89th minute with a one-timer finish from a feed by Haaland. Cherki’s goal marked an important milestone, signaling his arrival on the big stage for City.
The game also featured an impressive first outing for summer signing Rayan Aït-Nouri, who played left-back. Guardiola praised the Algerian’s intelligent defending and clever movement in tight spaces, highlighting his potential impact on the team’s dynamics. Despite Echeverri having to leave the field at halftime due to an ankle knock, Guardiola remained upbeat about the youngster’s contribution and his promising future.
Manchester City’s coach expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, noting, “A really good performance. I think we had our moments in the first half, and then also the second part of the second half. I think the result speaks for itself, and in the end, fully deserved.” However, Guardiola also acknowledged areas for improvement, stating, “We played a little bit better than the first game, especially in the second half, but still there are a few things you have to improve.”
Al Ain’s coach Vladimir Ivić admitted the gulf in class but stressed the importance of discipline, saying, “We know where our level is, but you cannot be happy ... because against this team, you must be disciplined from the first until the last second of the game.”
With this victory, Manchester City and Juventus, both undefeated in Group G with 6 points each, have secured their places in the Round of 16. The group winner will be decided in a high-stakes showdown on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 3 pm in Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. This match not only determines top spot but also likely influences the path to avoid facing Real Madrid early in the knockout stages.
Guardiola’s side fielded a completely fresh starting eleven against Al Ain, reflecting his strategic rotation ahead of the crucial clash with Juventus. The team employed a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Rodri and Bobb introduced in the final 30 minutes to maintain pressure and control. Despite dominating, City narrowly missed out on a seventh goal when Phil Foden, who replaced Echeverri at halftime, was denied by the goalkeeper from close range.
Manchester City’s journey this season has been a mixed bag. After four consecutive Premier League titles, they finished third this year and suffered a knockout playoff defeat to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. The Club World Cup offers a chance for redemption and a boost to morale, and the emphatic win over Al Ain underlines their determination to end the season on a high note.
Fans worldwide can catch all the action of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 live and free on DAZN, with every match streamed globally in multiple languages. For City supporters, the upcoming match against Juventus is the next big test as the team aims to reaffirm its dominance on the world stage.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the Thursday showdown in Orlando, where Manchester City and Juventus will battle for Group G supremacy. With both sides boasting impressive form and identical point tallies, the encounter promises to be a thrilling display of top-tier football.
For now, Manchester City can savor a night of clinical finishing, tactical discipline, and promising glimpses from their young stars, setting the stage for what could be an exhilarating conclusion to their Club World Cup campaign.
