Manchester City land Club World Cup despite Rodri injury blow

Manchester City's Kyle Walker lifts the trophy after they win the FIFA Club World Cup 2023 final. Photo credit: PA Wire.

Manchester City 4 Fluminense 0

Manchester City added the Club World Cup to last season's treble with an emphatic 4-0 win over Brazilian side Fluminense in Jeddah on Friday.

Julian Alvarez struck twice, setting them on their way after just 40 seconds and wrapping up victory late on, while Phil Foden forced an own goal and grabbed the other himself.

It was manager Pep Guardiola's fourth triumph in the competition but one that came at a cost as influential midfielder Rodri was forced off in the second half with an injury.

City, who were again without striker Erling Haaland due to a foot problem, now face an anxious wait over the Spaniard's fitness ahead of the resumption of their Premier League title defence at Everton next Wednesday.

Rodri, who limped off after a challenge from Alexsander, has already missed four games through suspension this season and City have lost them all.

Yet for now City can celebrate their fifth trophy of 2023, having also claimed the European Super Cup in August.

“We’ve shown over the past 12 months we are the best team in the world. Our results prove that and the consistency we have managed has been amazing," captain Kyle Walker told the club's official website.

“To win these five trophies – for me, the five biggest prizes available to us – is incredible. I am so proud to have been a part of this and I can honestly say it’s an honour to play alongside these players; I couldn’t ask for better teammates.

“And it isn’t just the players – the team behind the team here at City are the best you could ever ask for and I want to put on record my thanks and appreciation for every single person who works here day to day to try and help us be the best we can be.

“The level of quality in football across the world right now is scary. It’s really, really hard to win consistently, so to be sat here today having won the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Champions League, the Super Cup and the Club World Cup is really special and a huge achievement.

“It’s been the best year I have had in football and something I will never, ever forget.”

They were far too strong for the ageing Copa Libertadores winners, who repeatedly invited pressure on to themselves.

City were gifted the perfect start when veteran former Real Madrid captain Marcelo - one of seven in the Fluminense starting line-up aged 33 or over - found Nathan Ake with an attempted crossfield pass from deep inside his own half.

Ake wasted no time as he thumped a long-range shot against a post and there was nothing goalkeeper Fabio could do as Alvarez crouched to make sure the rebound bounced in off his chest.

City did have a scare when Ederson gave the ball away and then brought down German Cano but were spared by an offside flag.

Apart from that, Fluminense rarely threatened and City doubled their lead when Rodri played in Foden and his ball across the box deflected off Nino and looped into the net.

Ederson was called upon to keep out a Jhon Arias header just before the break, but City almost claimed another when Jack Grealish tested Fabio from distance.

Fabio also produced a good double save to deny Foden and Bernardo Silva in quick succession early in the second half.

City's third came as Rodri attempted to run off his injury, with Alvarez getting free down the left and crossing for Foden to slide in after 72 minutes.

Rodri was removed moments later, but Alvarez put the seal on success with a clean strike two minutes from time.

Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Stones (Gvardiol 75), Rúben Dias, Aké (Bobb 81), Lewis (Kovacic 61), Rodri (Akanji 74), Bernardo Silva, Foden (Nunes 81), Grealish, Alvarez.

Fluminense: Lopes Maciel, Xavier Brito, Mota Filho (Santos da Silva Barbosa 74), Melo de Carvalho (Barbosa Mendanha 61), Marcelo (Gomes da Costa 61), da Cosra Neto, Lima, Arias, Chaga de Lima (Moreira de Lima 60), da Silva Franca (Batista de Souza 45), Cano.

Referee: Szymon Marciniak.

Attendance: 52,601.