Manchester City vs Wydad live updates: Club World Cup holders start with victory after Foden, Doku goals – The New York Times

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Manchester City have kicked off their Club World Cup title defence with a victory thanks to goals from Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku.
The two City forwards scored in the first half and the Premier League side comfortably closed it out in the second. They did, however, finish with 10 men after Rico Lewis was contentiously sent off in the 88th minute.
The other game in Group G sees Juventus face Al Ain later today.
GO FURTHER
Man City 2 Wydad 0: Contrasting debuts for Reijnders and Cherki as Foden signals a return to form
How long have you been thinking about this, City fans?
Pep Guardiola will be dreaming of a full force Rodri in his side as soon as possible…
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A relatively comfortable win for Manchester City, despite the odd threat from Wydad on the counter-attack.
There were a couple of times when I looked up and thought, “Oh, they've brought John Stones on” — and no, it was Vitor Reis.
That has to be an encouraging sign, albeit not for my eyesight.
Manchester City began their FIFA Club World Cup with a 2-0 victory against Wydad Casablanca in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
In The Athletic's briefing below, Jordan Campbell, Daniel Taylor, Sam Lee, and Larry Henry analyse the main talking points from the game.
Enjoy.
GO FURTHER
Man City 2 Wydad 0: Contrasting debuts for Reijnders and Cherki as Foden signals a return to form
Here's our man of the match with his view on today's game as he spoke to DAZN:
"Very happy for the team to start the tournament with the win," he said. "It was difficult at times with the heat, we're not used to it so we had to keep the ball a bit more.
"We're happy with the performance and the three points. I score most of my goals in the box so I just stayed alive and it fell to me nicely.
"A new season, a fresh me so I'm looking forward to the season now.
"It's really important to get your sharpness now in this big tournament. "
We have the official man of the match award and today's winner is Phil Foden.
He scored inside two minutes and remained an important focal point for City.
Hard luck for both Jeremy Doku and Tijjani Reijnders, who had strong performances.
A valiant effort from Wydad AC, who held their own despite the score line. Here’s a look at our rankings of the Wydad players:
Subs:
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Job done for City. We saw two debuts and had plenty to dissect. Here’s how we rate Pep Guardiola’s side in that match:
Subs:
Jeremy Doku performed well across both halves until he came off as a sub. Involved in both goals and looked a cut above when he was on the pitch.
Showed class in a strange game — most of the early Club World Cup matches have had a pre-season feel — but showed no sign of wilting in the heat.
Professional, effective, and driven in getting City their first win of the tournament.
Our pick for star player!
A bit hot in Philadelphia for that kind of garb, isn't it?!
📸 Credit to David Ramos of Getty Images for this snap.
That's a really unfortunate red card for Rico Lewis, especially after it got reviewed by VAR.
Obviously his boot connecting with Obeng's face is always going to bring some sort of discussion about a card but it looked like a classic 50-50 challenge at full speed.
Lewis had won the tackle and already got rid of the ball before they made contact. With both players at full stretch on the ground, it's hard to see how either could have avoided that collision.
It was a dangerous impact but sport sometimes is dangerous. To suggest Lewis had the agency to do anything about that is madness.
FT: Manchester City 2-0 Wydad AC
At the whistle, Guardiola, whose lips are pursed as if he has swallowed a wasp, shook hands with the Wydad manager Amine Benhachem curtly before striding over to the referee to make his case.
He was not happy, waving his arms around in protest.
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That's the ball game!
Manchester City get their 2025 Club World Cup opener off to a good start. A win, three points, a clean sheet.
The only thing to sour the day was Rico Lewis' late red card, though that may be overturned on appeal.
For Wydad, a decent performance and one which saw them create several good chances, but they couldn't find the net.
It should offer them some encouragement in future matches, though.
90+4' Manchester City 2-0 Wydad AC
Really good save from Benabid of Wydad, who is off his line to deny Erling Haaland, who had been played the ball and was one on one.
Though he should have done better with Foden's opener, the goalkeeper has been solid since then.
Only seconds left now…
90+4' Manchester City 2-0 Wydad AC
Midway through six minutes of added time, City bring on midfielder Matheus Nunes for winger Savinho. Nunes can (and will) cover right-back after Rico Lewis' dismissal.
4-4-1 shape for City now.
VAR upholds the decision but that is very harsh. Lewis slides in and hooks the ball clear. Obeng then dives in late but Lewis' boot connects with his face.
No intention in that whatsoever and I'm not sure where he could realistically put his boot.
90' Manchester City 2-0 Wydad AC
Rico Lewis was furious. He was refusing to leave the field, protesting to the referee, and to Samuel Obeng, who was the man on the end of the challenge.
Both players slid in with full commitment, Lewis got the ball first and cleared it away with a stretch of his leg. In the follow through, Obeng caught Lewis' thigh (painful), and Lewis' boot accidentally flicked Obeng's face (also painful).
Obeng probably made the most of it, clutching his face and banging his hand on the ground, but it did look like it stung. The ref was in very close attendance and had the red out of his pocket quickly.
On the one hand, Lewis cleanly won the ball first, and took a knock for his troubles, and the contact was only on the follow through. On the other, his studs were up and he caught an opponent in the face. It was a bit reckless.
Not sure there's enough to overturn it. Though City will try I'm sure!
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90+1' Manchester City 2-0 Wydad AC
Yep, VAR upholds the referee's decision!
Lewis eventually trudges off.
No doubt this won't be the last we hear about this…
88' Manchester City 2-0 Wydad AC
Rico Lewis has been sent off! They can't believe it!
It was a thunderous tackle in midfield between Lewis and Obeng and the Brazilian referee has adjudged it to be a straight red.
City are not happy on the sidelines. There is a VAR check…
87' Manchester City 2-0 Wydad AC
It has just been confirmed today's attendance is 37,446 at Lincoln Financial Field. The stadium a little more than half-full.
Considering it's a midday game on a Wednesday, it's not bad.
Plus, the Wydad fans have made it a fun contest.

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