Football
Report as Manchester City earn second victory at Club World Cup in Group G; Ilkay Gundogan opens scoring; Claudio Echeverri and Erling Haaland score before half-time; Oscar Bobb and Rayan Cherki net late on; Man City need to beat Juventus in final match to top group and avoid Real Madrid
Monday 23 June 2025 11:38, UK
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Ilkay Gundogan scored twice as Manchester City thrashed Al Ain 6-0 to secure their place in the last 16 of the Club World Cup.
The Premier League side were far too strong for their Abu Dhabi-based opponents under a closed roof at Atlanta’s spectacular Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The result seemed certain from the moment Gundogan, who has been linked with a move to Galatasaray, opened the scoring – perhaps fortuitously – by lobbing the keeper after eight minutes.
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Teenager Claudio Echeverri marked his first City start by adding the second from a free-kick and Erling Haaland made it 3-0 at half-time from the penalty spot.
Gundogan finished off a neat move after 73 minutes before substitutes Oscar Bobb and Rayan Cherki struck late on to ensure City and Juventus will progress from Group G.
The two sides will meet in Orlando on Thursday to settle top spot, with Real Madrid potentially lying in wait in the first knockout round.
City, who made 11 changes from their opening win over Wydad Casablanca, were quick to take charge, although it was not obvious if Gundogan intended his chip as an attempt on goal.
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The Germany midfielder beat a challenge and delicately lofted the ball in the direction of Haaland at the back post, but no extra touch was required as the ball dropped into the net.
Despite their clear superiority, City did still have some awkward moments at the back and one such saw Nassim Chadli break through on goal but Stefan Ortega touched the former Morocco youth international’s shot behind.
There was a lengthy delay as Echeverri, making his first City start, required treatment following a collision.
The Argentine’s problem was clearly not too serious as moments later he stepped up to curl in City’s second after Matheus Nunes was hauled down after 27 minutes.
Haaland could have added another within seconds after robbing Park Yong-woo and rounding Khalid Eisa but he shot across goal from a tight angle.
As the first Mexican waves of the evening gathered momentum, Josko Gvardiol went even closer when he headed against the post.
Haaland dragged another effort wide after being played in by Bernardo Silva but he finally got his goal after City were awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage time.
The referee initially ignored City’s claims after Manuel Akanji was wrestled to the ground by Ramy Rabia but the decision was changed after a VAR review.
Haaland, who attracted criticism after handing a penalty to Omar Marmoush – who subsequently missed – in the FA Cup final, calmly sent the keeper the wrong way.
Nunes went close to adding to the score after a clever flick and turn but his volley flew narrowly side.
Phil Foden, who came on at half-time, picked out Haaland with a low cross from the left but Eisa denied him with a double save.
The fourth goal came when Gundogan took a pass from Silva and brilliantly dinked over Eisa.
City rammed home their advantage in the closing minutes as Bobb fired a shot inside the post and new signing Cherki struck with a low effort from the edge of the area.
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Gundogan insists he is happy to remain at Man City and has “several years” left at the highest level.
Speaking after his double against Al Ain, Gundogan did not categorically dismiss suggestions he could leave, but made clear his belief that he feels he could still play an important role for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Asked if he thought he would be staying, Gundogan said: “I think so, yes. I have a one-year contract and I’m very happy here. I think everyone knows that.
“And I am committed to the competition, and I’m enjoying my football. I still believe that I have several years in me (of being able) to play on the highest level by taking good care of myself. I think I’ve proven that.
“Also in last season I didn’t miss a game, so I’m available. I’m fit. I feel really good and I want to play on the highest level for much longer.”
Pep Guardiola on Echeverri’s free-kick: “Since he arrived and [in] the three or four months with us, at the end of training sessions he was practising free-kicks with the goalkeeper, wall and alone.
“The other ones did not practise. He was practising and practising and the work pays off.
“Fantastic goal and incredible player. He could not continue after half-time because of a problem with the ankle, but the free-kick was really good.”
Ait Nouri made his first appearance for Man City since joining from Wolves and impressed Guardiola. He said: “Wow. He had to defend a back four, then make a back five. He played really, really good, not for the first time.
“It was his first game but he has played in the Premier League for many years.
“He can help us play in that role outside but then had to play as a holding midfielder and go into the pockets. He moves really well into the spaces.
“He is intelligent and clear to defend and take the ball. He is so clever in the final third, taking the right decisions to create more spaces. Really pleased for the game he played.”
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