Ilkay Gundogan rues Manchester City's failure to score seventh against Al Ain
Veteran midfielder Gundogan struck twice as City secured their place in the last 16 with a comfortable victory in Atlanta but it was not enough to take them top of Group G.
Their performance lifted them level on points and goal difference with Juventus but it is the Italians who will have the slight edge – courtesy of goals scored – heading into Thursday's meeting between the two teams in Orlando.
What a performance from Gundo! ✨
Your Man of the Match is @IlkayGuendogan 🩵 pic.twitter.com/dM8tiKPuJh
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 23, 2025
City will now need to beat the Serie A outfit to ensure they avoid a clash with the winners of Real Madrid's group in the first knockout round.
'It felt like we needed the seventh at the end,' said Gundogan. 'We set that as our target at half-time but unfortunately we didn't start the second half good enough. We were a bit slow.
'It felt like it cost us at the end.'
Manager Pep Guardiola admitted Juve now hold an advantage over his side but played down its significance.
Guardiola said: 'With one more goal we would have two options, but we only have one now.
'It would be better but the important thing is we are in the next phase. If you want to go through you have to face top, top teams so it does not matter.
Mac City went off for 6️⃣ goals vs. Al Ain
Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld pic.twitter.com/E5kNRf5rSU
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 23, 2025
'We see Brazilian teams, European top-class teams. It is no big concern.
'I like that we tried. We spoke at half-time of trying to score as many goals as possible. At the end we had chances to score more but that is fine.
'We played a little bit better than the first game, especially in the second half, but there are some things we have to improve.'
Guardiola changed his entire XI following their 2-0 win over Wydad Casablanca on Wednesday.
Gundogan opened the scoring with a cross-shot after eight minutes before teenager Claudio Echeverri struck from a free-kick and Erling Haaland tucked away a penalty.
Gundogan capped a fine move to grab the fourth after the break and substitutes Oscar Bobb and Rayan Cherki netted in the closing stages. Other near misses saw Josko Gvardiol head against the post and Phil Foden go close late on.
Gundogan's performance, coming after reports linking him with Galatasaray, which were downplayed by Guardiola this week, was particularly eye-catching.
Guardiola said of the 34-year-old: 'He's an exceptional player, exceptional in all senses.
'He's really, really good and made a fantastic goal. He reads what we have to do every game. I'm really pleased.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
30 minutes ago
- Metro
£25m Chelsea star wanted by Premier League rivals amid uncertain future
Robert Sanchez could leave Chelsea this summer (Photo: Getty) Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is attracting interest from a Premier League club with his future at Stamford Bridge looking increasingly uncertain. Chelsea have been very active in the transfer market so far this summer, signing Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr. Enzo Maresca is also desperate to buy a new left-winger and has his sights set on Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens. But there will also be significant outgoings, with up to 15 players reportedly up for sale, even those who have been regulars in the starting XI like Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke. Sanchez is another player who could leave Stamford Bridge despite being the No.1 goalkeeper for the past two seasons following a £25million transfer from Brighton. Get personalised updates on Chelsea every day Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. While the Spaniard has kept his place ahead of Filip Jorgensen and Djordje Petrovic, he has never looked entirely convincing, with no Premier League player making more errors leading to goal (five) than him last season. Chelsea tried to replace him ahead of the Club World Cup but were unable to strike a deal for AC Milan star Mike Maignan, but it is very likely they will attempt to sign a new keeper before next season starts. Chelsea tried to sign Mike Maignan to replace Sanchez earlier this transfer window (Photo: Getty) As such, Sanchez's future with the Blues looks bleak, but his career in England may continue as The Times report that West Ham are considering making a move for the 27-year-old. The Irons are looking at potential replacements for Alphonse Areola and have also been linked with Petrovic who is expected to leave Chelsea this summer. Former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale is also on West Ham's radar and is available for £20m after suffering relegation with Southampton. Robert Sanchez Premier League stats 2024/25 Appearances: 32 Goals conceded: 34 Clean sheets: 10 Saves: 95 Errors leading to goal: 5 Earlier this year, Chelsea were urged to sign Ramsdale by former Manchester United keeper Ben Foster, who said the England international would be an 'upgrade'. More Trending 'At certain moments when he [Sanchez] needs to be calm under pressure, he panics, tenses up and that's where all the errors start creeping in,' Foster said. Chelsea have been previously linked with Aaron Ramsdale (Photo: Getty) 'He's trying to do too much. Instead of just being settled and being comfortable in knowing what he is as a goalkeeper and letting it come onto you, don't create work for yourself.' Chelsea are currently busy at the Club World Cup, with Sanchez starting their opening two games – a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC and a surprise 3-1 defeat to Brazilian side Flamengo last week. In order to progress to the knockout stages, the Blues must avoid defeat to ES Tunis in their final group game on Wednesday. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Arrow MORE: 'You little dope!' – Troy Deeney tells Bruno Fernandes to 'smash' Man Utd teammate in training Arrow MORE: Juventus could offer £60m star to Man Utd in exchange for Jadon Sancho
BBC News
35 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Wow' - Ait-Nouri impresses Guardiola on debut
Manchester City have been without a recognised left-back since the departure of Benjamin Mendy, but Pep Guardiola may have found the perfect solution."Wow," said Guardiola. "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."Playing at the incredible Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ait-Nouri showcased the class he possesses with driving runs up and down the left played the full game and highlighted why he will be such an asset with a total of 92 touches of the ball, including seven in the opposition box, second only to Erling Norway striker, who scored from the penalty spot and missed numerous other chances, will be relishing getting on the end of Ait-Nouri's whipped 24-year-old could have scored in the first half when he cut inside and beat a couple of defenders, but lost his footing at the vital moment."He can help us play in that role outside but then had to play as a holding midfielder and go into the pockets," Guardiola added. "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."Ait-Nouri helped ensure City progressed into the knockout stages and they will be aiming to seal top spot in their final group game against Juventus on Thursday.
Scottish Sun
41 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Former European finalists ‘set for miracle escape from relegation' after play-off clash is cancelled for second time
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SAMPDORIA are reportedly set for a miracle survival from being relegated to Serie C. The Italian outfit was once one of the biggest clubs in the country and was beaten in the Champions League final by Barcelona in 1992. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Sampdoria are expected to escape relegation to Serie C Credit: Getty 2 The second leg against Salernitana was abandoned due to fan trouble Credit: AP Sampdoria have since fallen from the top of the game to mid-table mediocrity to relegation from Serie A in 2023. The club were expected to bounce back to the top-flight in Italy but finished 7th in their first season in the second tier. It then got even worse for the club as they finished last season 18th and in the automatic relegation spots. They were then given hope as Brescia went bust and took their relegation spot and Sampdoria were put into a play-off against Salernitana. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS SPAINFUL END Chaos as England's U21 Euros quarter-final win over Spain ends in mass brawl Sampdoria now look set to stay in Serie B after the second leg of the tie was abandoned. Alberico Evani's were 4-0 up on aggregate and 2-0 up on the night before Salernitana fans got the game called off by throwing flares. Referee Daniele Doveri sent the players to the dressing rooms as the police attempted to restore order in the stands. The official did attempt to restart the match, but more objects were thrown, which led to the abandonment. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Salernitana would have survived if they had drawn the tie as they finished higher in the table. Italian media now believe that Sampdoria will be awarded a 3-0 win due to the circumstances. Abandoned EFL stadium left to rot with pitch covered in weeds just five years after hosting final match This means they would win the play-off tie 5-0 on aggregate and escape a first-ever relegation to Serie C. The match had originally been expected to take place on Friday but was postponed. This was due to an outbreak of food poisoning among the Salernitana camp. 21 members of the club fell ill after the first leg was lost 2-0 at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa. Sampdoria appear to believe that they will be playing in Serie B next season. After the game, the team posted a celebratory picture on social media with the message: "Mission accomplished."
