Manchester City kicked off their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup journey in commanding fashion, securing a well-deserved 2-0 victory over African champions Wydad AC at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
The Premier League side wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Phil Foden etching his name in the tournament's history books by scoring just two minutes into the match – the fastest goal ever recorded in FIFA Club World Cup history. The early breakthrough set the tone for a controlled performance from Pep Guardiola's side.
Manchester City's superiority was further emphasised before the interval when Jeremy Doku doubled the advantage in the 42nd minute, converting from a precise corner kick delivered by the influential Foden. The Belgian winger's finish proved crucial in establishing a comfortable cushion heading into the break.
The match, played in front of 37,446 spectators at the impressive Lincoln Financial Field, showcased Manchester City's tactical prowess and technical superiority. However, it wasn't without its challenges. Wydad AC, the CAF Champions League winners, demonstrated their competitive spirit with several threatening counter-attacks, particularly through Cassius Mailula, whose close-range effort required a crucial save from Ederson to maintain the Sky Blues' clean sheet.
The contest's closing stages saw some drama when Rico Lewis received a red card in the 88th minute for a challenge on Samuel Obeng, reducing Manchester City to ten men. Despite this late setback, the former English champions managed the remaining minutes professionally to secure the three points.
The match was briefly interrupted by an animal-rights protestor who managed to enter the field, but this did little to disrupt City's composed performance as they took their first step toward potential Club World Cup glory in this historic expanded format.
This victory puts Manchester City in a strong position in Group G of the expanded 32-team tournament, marking an ideal start to their campaign in the new format of the FIFA Club World Cup. The competition, now featuring an unprecedented prize pool of $1 billion, represents a significant opportunity for them to add another prestigious trophy to their cabinet.