Manchester City delivered a commanding performance to thrash Juventus 5-2 in their final group stage match at the FIFA Club World Cup, held at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. With an attendance of 54,320 spectators, City secured top spot in Group G with a perfect record of three wins from three, setting the stage for a promising knockout phase.
The match unfolded under sweltering 32°C conditions, with a sudden downpour briefly drenching the pitch but doing little to dampen City's momentum. From the outset, Manchester City asserted their dominance, energized by the return of key midfielder Rodri, who made his first start since September 2024 after recovering from an ACL injury. Rodri's presence in midfield proved pivotal, orchestrating play and providing the control City desperately missed last season.
City struck early in the 9th minute when Jeremy Doku, linking seamlessly with summer signing Rayan Ait-Nouri, curled a precise shot into the bottom corner, igniting the crowd and giving City a quick lead. However, Juventus responded swiftly; just two minutes later, a rare lapse from City goalkeeper Ederson saw his loose pass intercepted by Teun Koopmeiners, who capitalized with a composed finish to level the score.
The match's first half saw intense back-and-forth action, but it was City who regained the advantage in the 26th minute through an unfortunate own goal by Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu. Matheus Nunes’ low cross found Kalulu, who inadvertently side-footed the ball into his own net, giving City a 2-1 lead going into halftime.
After the break, City introduced Erling Haaland, who wasted no time marking his presence. In the 52nd minute, Haaland scored his 300th top-level career goal with a somewhat scruffy finish, knocking the ball in off his standing foot from close range. His goal not only extended City's lead but also injected further confidence into the squad.
Phil Foden followed suit in the 69th minute, capitalizing on a slick move initiated by Haaland. Ederson launched a long ball to Haaland, who slipped Foden in behind the Juventus defense. Despite a slightly overhit pass, the ball fell to Savinho, who cleverly cut back across the box to set up Foden for a tap-in, pushing the score to 4-1.
The goal frenzy continued as Savinho unleashed a stunning strike in the 75th minute, crashing a first-time rising shot off the underside of the crossbar and into the net. This sensational effort further humiliated Juventus and underscored City's clinical finishing.
Juventus, though outplayed, managed a consolation goal in the 84th minute through Dusan Vlahovic. Assisted by Yildiz, Vlahovic expertly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, but the goal was too little, too late to change the course of the match.
City's dominance was evident throughout, with Rodri pulling the strings in midfield alongside the impressive Tijjani Reijnders, who operated just behind Haaland. Rodri's return was met with near standing ovations as he completed 65 minutes before being replaced by Ilkay Gundogan. Doku, who was named Man of the Match for his incisive attacking play, also made way for Foden in the second half.
Despite Juventus’ efforts, they were unable to contain City's relentless pressure. The Italian side struggled to press effectively, with Juventus coach Igor Tudor acknowledging City's superiority post-match, saying, "They were better... they controlled us... it was difficult to play... we need to be complete as a team." Juventus midfielder Teun Koopmeiners echoed this sentiment, admitting, "In the second half they were stronger than us... we have to learn from that."
City’s manager Pep Guardiola expressed his delight following the performance, calling it their best in a long time. He praised Rodri's impact, stating, "Everyone knows how important Rodri is. He is one of the best players in the world." Guardiola also emphasized the team's commitment and belief, remarking, "The players felt again what we have to do to be a good team... the belief always comes back from your performance."
Bernardo Silva, another standout performer, reflected on the victory with measured optimism, saying, "We're very happy with what we did against a top team... it's just another win... we are here to win so we're one step closer to that goal." He highlighted the importance of squad depth and fitness, especially Rodri’s return, adding, "We really need him."
The match also featured moments of near misses for City, notably in stoppage time when Haaland intercepted a loose Juventus pass and set up Cherki with an unmarked chance inside the box. However, Cherki's effort was saved by Juventus goalkeeper Di Gregorio, denying City a sixth goal.
City's emphatic win ensures they avoid a potentially tougher path in the knockout stages. By finishing top of Group G, they have been placed in the half of the draw containing teams like Inter, Fluminense, Palmeiras, Botafogo, Benfica, and Chelsea. Their next opponent will be the runners-up from Group H, currently projected to be Al Hilal, with the match scheduled for Monday, June 30, 2025, at 02:00 BST.
Meanwhile, Juventus, despite the defeat, progress as Group G runners-up and are likely to face the winners of Group H, which includes strong contenders such as Real Madrid and RB Salzburg. The Italian giants will need to regroup quickly after this humbling loss to mount a serious challenge in the knockout rounds.
The Club World Cup continues to heat up as teams prepare for the knockout stages. Manchester City’s dominant display has sent a clear message: they are serious contenders for the title. With Rodri back to full fitness and Haaland hitting his stride, City’s blend of experience and youthful exuberance could prove formidable.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on City to see if they can maintain their flawless record and navigate the challenging fixtures ahead. For Juventus, the focus will be on recovery and tactical adjustments to bounce back stronger and keep their hopes alive in this prestigious competition.
