Gundogan scores twice as Man City hit six to progress
Ilkay Gundogan scored twice as Manchester City thrashed United Arab Emirates side Al Ain to comfortably book a place in the last-16 of the Club World Cup.
Pep Guardiola's men backed up their opening game win over Wydad AC with a ruthless performance but will have to beat Juventus to top Group G and avoid a meeting with the winners of Real Madrid's group.
Advertisement
City took the lead after only eight minutes courtesy of Gundogan's fortuitous strike, sending an attempted chipped cross sailing over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net, while the German delightfully dinked home in the second half.
In between, Claudio Echeverri curled in a sublime free-kick from the edge of the box on his first start and Josko Gvardiol sent a header against the post as City threatened to run riot in the opening half an hour.
City went 3-0 up before half-time courtesy of Erling Haaland's penalty after Ramy Rabia bundled over Manuel Akanji in the box - the referee awarding the spot-kick after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Oscar Bobb came off the bench to cut inside and fire in at the near post and fellow substitute Rayan Cherki scored his first goal for the club with a low, thumping drive late on.
Advertisement
Al Ain qualified for the competition after winning the 2024 Asian Champions League under ex-Argentina striker Hernan Crespo and are now led by former Watford boss Vladimir Ivic, but they were well beaten by their superior opponents.
What was the main talking point?
Though it was a balmy 31C in Atlanta at the local kick-off time of 9pm, the heat and humidity was not a factor as the match was played inside the incredible 71,000-capacity venue, which is enclosed and fitted with air-conditioning, and City coolly despatched the Arab opposition without issues.
City boss Guardiola named a fully-changed starting line-up from the opening game win over Wydad, handing full debuts to left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri and midfielder Echeverri, while Bernardo Silva took the armband for the first time since being appointed club captain.
Which players stood out?
Both first-time starters did no harm to their prospects, especially attacking Algerian Ait-Nouri.
Advertisement
Signed from Wolves for £31m, he already looks accomplished down the left flank, with his darts inside and crosses into the box causing Al Ain all sorts of issues.
Argentine midfielder Echeverri was handed a surprise appearance ahead of Jack Grealish in the FA Cup final defeat by Crystal Palace last month and converted a delightful finish which will have caught the eye of boss Guardiola.
What next for these teams?
Manchester City face Serie A giants Juve in a huge European clash in Orlando on Thursday, while Al Ain and Wydad AC have both suffered two defeats apiece and are already out.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Theo Hernandez set to give green light for Al-Hilal transfer
AC Milan full-back Theo Hernandez is leaning towards joining Al-Hilal this summer (h/t journalist Gianluca Di Marzio). He initially turned down a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League club in favour of a move to Atletico Madrid. Advertisement But a deal collapsed after the Spanish giants decided against raising their offer to match Milan's valuation. The 27-year-old is now reconsidering his future, with Al-Hilal accelerating their efforts to reach an agreement with him. Milan have been pushing to sell him after he declined a contract renewal with a lower salary. They want to avoid the risk of losing him for free next summer.. Hernandez has enjoyed a meteoric rise to become one of the prominent left-backs in Europe. He was influential in the Scudetto triumph in 2022 and this year's Italian Super Cup success. He has registered 34 goals and 45 assists in 262 appearances for Milan. Advertisement Al-Hilal would strengthen an already star-studded squad by signing him. The Saudi giants are aiming to win more silverware under new manager Simone Inzaghi in the upcoming season. Milan will look to sign a new left-back in this transfer window if they part ways with Hernandez. Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko is among the potential targets.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Eight Years Later – Inter Milan Captain Lautaro Martinez Hopes To Repeat Early Heroics Vs River Plate In Crunch Club World Cup Clash
Eight Years Later – Inter Milan Captain Lautaro Martinez Hopes To Repeat Early Heroics Vs River Plate In Crunch Club World Cup Clash Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez will hope to repeat his heroics from eight years ago against River Plate at the Club World Cup. Today's print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, note the parallel for the Argentine striker. Advertisement In 2017, before joining Inter Milan, striker Lautaro Martinez made his name at Racing Club. Martinez broke onto the scene early for Racing. There were a number of matches in which Martinez really shone early in his career. But one of the most high profile came against River Plate. Playing away to the Buenos Aires giants, Martinez showed no fear. He scored Racing's opening goal in a memorable 3-2 win. Lautaro Martinez Aims To Repeat River Plate Heroics At Club World Cup PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 17: Lautaro Martinez #10 of FC Internazionale Milano warms up prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between CF Monterrey and FC Internazionale Milano at Rose Bowl Stadium on June 17, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by) That performance against River Plate came almost exactly eight years ago for Martinez – on the 18th of June, 2017. Now, Lautaro Martinez finds himself in a much different situation. Advertisement Having been very much a breakout talent when he enjoyed that memorable win over River, now Martinez has fully established himself within the European game. Martinez is Inter's captain. He inherited the captain's armband from Samir Handanovic two years ago. And the Argentine has been Inter's top scorer for four seasons running. He has started in two Champions League finals for the Nerazzurri, and won the Serie A title twice. Therefore, Martinez has made good on the promise he showed the better part of a decade ago against River Plate. Now, the 27-year-old will aim to prove that he can retain the same hunger against such iconic opposition from his home country at the Club World Cup.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Croatia Star Reveals: ‘Several Serie A Clubs Wanted To Sign Me, But Then Inter Milan Came Along'
Croatia Star Reveals: 'Several Serie A Clubs Wanted To Sign Me, But Then Inter Milan Came Along' Midfielder Petar Sucic says that he had interest from a number of other clubs in Serie A before Inter Milan signed him. The 21-year-old Croatian international gave his thoughts in an interview in today's print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. Advertisement The Nerazzurri snapped up the Croat in time for the Club World Cup. He has already made two appearances at the tournament, against the likes of Monterrey and Urawa Red Diamonds. And the young midfielder could also feature in Inter's final match of the group stage. Watch Inter Milan vs River Plate for FREE with DAZN on any device! Inter had in fact secured a deal to sign Sucic all the way back in February. However, the 21-year-old remained at Dianmo Zagreb over the second half of the campaign. Petar Sucic: 'Several Serie A Clubs Interested, Then Inter Came Along' SALZBURG, AUSTRIA – OCTOBER 23: Petar Sucic of GNK Dinamo in action during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between FC Salzburg and GNK Dinamo at Stadion Salzburg on October 23, 2024 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by) Midfielder Petar Sucic admitted that joining Inter is 'a big change, in my life and career.' Advertisement 'But I really wanted it,' continued the Croatian international. 'Now I'm at a club that's simply massive.' Sucic said that 'I want to enjoy this experience to the fullest.' 'And to grow as a player, and as a man. And, obviously, win trophies.' Meanwhile, Sucic said that it's 'true' that other teams in Serie A had wanted to sign him. 'But I won't say which ones.' 'Then my agent called me, and said: 'Inter also want you.'' 'At that point it was all over,' Sucic claimed. 'Because I told him: 'I only want to o there.'' 'This club is also special because of all the Croatians who've worn this shirt,' the 21-year-old noted. Advertisement 'And I spoke to all of them. Brozovic, Perisic, and even Kovacic.' 'And they all told me the same thing,' Sucic said. 'Go to Milano, don't even think about it.' 'Now let's just say I followed their advice,' added the 21-year-old. Meanwhile, Sucic gave his thoughts on his new coach at Inter, Cristian Chivu. 'He loves what he does,' said the midfielder. 'And transmits it.' 'You can see it in the precision that he has in every single training session.' 'And I've also noticed another important quality,' Sucic went on. 'His frankness.' The Croat said that Chivu 'speaks directly, he says what he thinks to your face.' Advertisement 'He doesn't mince words. He gets to the point.' Then, Sucic commented that 'at the moment he hasn't asked anything specifically from me.' 'But just to create a sense of harmony with my teammates. And just to… understand. Understand how he wants me to play, understand how to to train.' Therefore, Chivu wants Sucic to 'understand the team that I've come to, in short.'
