Manchester City kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Moroccan champions Wydad Casablanca in their Group G opener. Phil Foden was the star of the show, bagging an early goal and providing an assist, as Pep Guardiola’s side secured a strong start in the sweltering conditions at Lincoln Financial Field.
Foden Fires City Ahead Early
Manchester City wasted no time in asserting their dominance. Just over a minute into the match, Phil Foden capitalized on a parried cross from Savinho, expertly striking the ball into the net to give the European champions a rapid lead. The goal, scored at 1 minute and 51 seconds, was reportedly the fastest of the tournament so far.
City continued to press, and their efforts were rewarded just before halftime. In the 42nd minute, Phil Foden turned provider, delivering a perfectly weighted corner kick. Jeremy Doku, unmarked at the far post, met the cross with a volley, doubling City’s lead and putting them firmly in control of the match.
Guardiola Satisfied Despite Late Red Card
Manager Pep Guardiola expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, particularly given the challenging humid conditions. “It is so hot. The humidity is not easy. We had good moments, many new players. The first game in this group stage is always really, really important. I saw many, many good things,” Guardiola commented.
The only blemish on City’s afternoon was a late red card for Rico Lewis in the 88th minute for a reckless challenge. However, by that point, the outcome of the match was already decided.
Squad Rotation and Debuts
Guardiola used the opening match as an opportunity to rotate his squad and provide debuts for new arrivals Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki. Teenage defender Vitor Reis also made just his third senior appearance. Notably, key players like Erling Haaland and Rodri were brought on as substitutes in the second half, suggesting they may feature more prominently in upcoming fixtures.
Wydad’s Valiant Effort
Despite the scoreline, Wydad Casablanca, who qualified as a recent CAF Champions League winner, displayed moments of resilience and created a few chances, particularly on the counter-attack. Their coach, Amine Benhachem, who only took charge shortly before the tournament, encouraged his players to play without fear. “Nobody likes to lose, but we showed good spirit and we have something to work on for the second match,” Benhachem stated.
Manchester City will now look ahead to their next Group G match against UAE side Al Ain.
