Manchester City Dominates Wydad in Club World Cup Opener
Manchester City secured a confident 2-0 victory over Moroccan team Wydad in their first match of the Club World Cup on Wednesday night. Pep Guardiola’s squad is hoping to rewrite their season narrative, as this marks the first time since his arrival in 2016 that City has not clinched a trophy by this point in the season. The Club World Cup offers a significant opportunity for the Cityzens to shift momentum, especially with formidable opponents like Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid also in the hunt for the title.
Entering the match as heavy favorites, Manchester City faced a Wydad team that finished 16 points behind the leaders in the Moroccan Botola Pro league.
Phil Foden Shines in the Spotlight
One player eager to turn his season around is Phil Foden. After an impressive campaign that earned him the PFA Player of the Season award for 2023/24, Foden has struggled to maintain consistent performances this year, coinciding with a decline in City’s goal-scoring output.
In an exciting twist, City introduced two debutants: former Lyon midfielder Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders, who joined for £45 million, both starting in midfield. However, it was Foden who set the tone early in the match, scoring just two minutes in. With this goal, he made history as the first English player to score in multiple editions of the Club World Cup, having netted in the final against Fluminense in 2023.
Just before halftime, Foden showcased his playmaking skills again, delivering a precise corner that Jeremy Doku volleyed home, extending City’s lead to 2-0. Despite bringing on stars like Erling Haaland and Rodri in the second half, Manchester City controlled the game comfortably.
Rico Lewis Sent Off
However, the match took a turn in the final moments when Rico Lewis received a second red card for a tough challenge on Wydad’s Samuel Obeng. Although Lewis appeared to win the ball first, his studs made contact with Obeng’s face, resulting in the referee’s decision being upheld by VAR despite protests from Lewis and his teammates. As a result, Lewis will miss City’s next match against Al Ain from the UAE on Monday.
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel commented on the red card decision, stating, “I think it was the right card, for sure. You can see the follow-through with his leg. He left it high.” Guardiola defended Lewis, insisting, "He touches the ball. He never had any intention to do it. It is what it is."
Foden’s Reflection on the Match
After his standout performance, which earned him the ‘Superior Player of the Match’ accolade, Foden acknowledged the challenging conditions of the game. "It was difficult at times with the heat, but fair play to them; they were a top team on the counter-attacks. We had to deal with a lot of chances," he remarked.
Looking ahead, Foden expressed his determination to make a strong impact this season, stating, “A new season, fresh me. I’m looking forward to the season now. The tournament is very important, not just for me, but for all the players. It’s crucial to regain our sharpness in this big competition.”
As Manchester City moves forward in the Club World Cup, they will aim to build on this victory and regain their momentum in pursuit of silverware.
