Manchester City 2 – 0 Wydad Casablanca
Phil Foden inspired defending champions Manchester City to victory over Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in their Fifa Club World Cup opener in Philadelphia.
The Premier League side had seen fellow European heavyweights Paris St-Germain, Bayern Munich and Chelsea all record victories in their first games and made no mistake themselves against the north African side, helped by Foden’s return to form with a goal and assist.
Though there were banks of empty seats visible inside the stadium, City fans arrived at Lincoln Financial Field in their thousands and witnessed a masterclass from the England midfielder.
Pep Guardiola’s men were heavy favourites and made the perfect start as Foden stroked in from 12 yards out inside two minutes, before the 25-year-old’s inswinging corner was poked home by Jeremy Doku three minutes before half-time.
Ballon d’Or winner Rodri was introduced off the bench for just his second appearance since September following a serious knee injury, while Erling Haaland was given a huge ovation after entering the action and scooped a shot over from a promising position and had a late effort saved by Mehdi Benabid.
Wydad’s most notable name was debutant Nordin Amrabat – who had spells in England with Watford and most recently Hull – and his team-mates had glimmers of hope on the break, but they were unable to breach Ederson’s goal.
But City will be without Rico Lewis for Monday’s second game against Al Ain (02:00 BST) after receiving a straight red card late on for catching Samuel Obeng in the face with his boot as both players slid in for a loose ball.
What was the main talking point?
City boss Guardiola gave debuts to two of his summer signings in Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders.
French forward Cherki showed some delightful touches in the final third, while Netherlands international Reijnders displayed his athleticism in midfield by getting around the pitch and making some vital interceptions.
Ex-Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri remained on the bench, with Nico O’Reilly preferred, and the Algerian will have to wait to make his City bow.
Who stood out and who did not?
Foden had a difficult campaign last term, saying he had been carrying an ankle injury and struggling mentally, but he looked rejuvenated in the United States.
The opening goal was well taken, caressing a finish into the far corner for his first goal for club and country in 20 games – since netting against Chelsea on 25 January – and then providing the cross as Doku bundled home from close range.
Brazilian teenager Vitor Reis, signed from Palmeiras in January, was making just his fourth City appearance and was thankful to keeper Ederson for thwarting Wydad’s Cassius Mailula after the 19-year-old defender misjudged a long ball over the top.
Lewis’ dismissal, which was confirmed by the video assistant referee (VAR) despite the full-back’s protests, also opens up an opportunity in the next game for Matheus Nunes or Manuel Akanji to come in.
Player of the match
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What’s next for these teams?
Manchester City head to Atlanta for their second group game, coming up against United Arab Emirates side Al Ain on Monday (02:00 BST), while Wydad Casablanca face Juventus next on Sunday (17:00 BST) Philadelphia.
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