ORLANDO, Florida – Manchester City made a bold statement in their bid for Club World Cup glory on Thursday night, overwhelming Juventus 5-2 in a Group D clash played before over 54,000 fans at the Camping World Stadium.
The win means City are the only side in the tournament to finish the group stage with a perfect record. Real Madrid also sailed through to the last 16, brushing aside Salzburg 3-0 in rainy Philadelphia, thanks to a standout performance from Vinicius Junior.
Pep Guardiola’s men looked sharp and composed, bouncing back from a shaky start where goalkeeper Ederson handed Juventus a soft equaliser.
“We played well and I’m happy with the victory,” said City winger Jeremy Doku, who scored the opener after being set up by new signing Rayan Aït-Nouri.
City quickly regained their rhythm after Teun Koopmeiners briefly levelled the match. Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu turned the ball into his own net under pressure, restoring City’s lead before half-time.
The second half saw the introduction of Erling Haaland, and the Norwegian did not disappoint. He tapped in City’s third before playing a key role in Phil Foden’s goal. Brazilian forward Savinho added a fifth with a rocket from distance.
Dusan Vlahovic pulled one back late for Juventus, but it wasn’t enough to dent City’s dominance.
Speaking after the defeat, Juventus coach Igor Tudor admitted, “Manchester City have a lot better players than us, that’s the truth, and it needs to be acknowledged.”
Despite the loss, Juventus still advance to the last 16 as runners-up in the group. City will next face Al Hilal, the lone Asian team remaining, who beat Pachuca of Mexico 2-0 earlier in the day with goals from Salem Al-Dawsari and Marcos Leonardo.
Vinicius Lights Up Philadelphia
Over in Group H, Real Madrid turned on the style against Red Bull Salzburg with Vinicius Junior at the heart of it all. The Brazilian forward scored the opener and later assisted Federico Valverde with a smart backheel just before the break.
The 64,000-plus crowd at Lincoln Financial Field braved heavy rain to watch the Spanish giants seal top spot in their group. Young striker Gonzalo Garcia added a third late on — his second of the tournament — wrapping up a flawless group stage under manager Xabi Alonso.
“I am pleased with the boys,” Alonso told DAZN. “Now the interesting phase begins.”
Real were once again without star forward Kylian Mbappé, who has been sidelined with illness since the start of the tournament.
“We thought Kylian would make it, but it wasn’t to be,” Alonso added. “We’ve got four days before the next match. I want to stay optimistic but cautious.”
Madrid will now meet Juventus in the last 16, with that heavyweight clash set for Tuesday in Miami.
Elsewhere at the Tournament
In Washington, D.C., Al Ain secured a consolation 2-1 win over Wydad Casablanca in a battle between two already eliminated teams.
South African Cassius Mailula had given the Moroccan side an early lead, but Togo’s Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba equalised from the spot. Alejandro Romero sealed the win for Al Ain with a curling strike — the team’s first meaningful performance after heavy defeats to City and Juventus earlier in the group.
As the knockout rounds take shape, all eyes will be on the European heavyweights. With City and Madrid flexing their muscle and Al Hilal aiming to spring a surprise, the 2025 Club World Cup is heating up fast.
