By Samindra Kunti in Jeddah
December 20 – European champions Manchester City rekindled some of their form with a comfortable 3-0 victory against Urawa Red Diamonds to book a place in the final of the Club World Cup.
Sluggish in the Premier League, the Champions League winners had no difficulty against the Asian champions in a match that was often so one-sided that it was hardly an ad for the expanded Club World Cup in 2025.
Even without some of their marquee players, City cruised to victory after Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo struck following Marius Hoibraten’s first-half own-goal.
Featuring in their third Club World Cup, the Japanese defended solidly in the first half, restricting Manchester City, who in typical fashion monopolised possession, to attempts by Rodri and Silva.
At the half hour mark, Matheus Nunes smashed a half-volley toward the goal, eliciting the first save in a series by goalkeeper Nishikawa before the break. City massed around Urawa’s box, but lacked incisiveness, playing without a recognised striker.
In the stands, the injured Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne provoked the biggest cheer when appearing on the big screen, but City needed neither player to take the lead. Instead, they got help from the Asian Champions.
On the stroke of half-time, defender Hoibraten diverted the ball into the back of his own net. It was heartbreak for goalkeeper Shusaka Nishikawa, his team’s best player, but there was little he could do to prevent the own-goal.
After the break, City dismantled their opponents with two goals in the space of six minutes, Kovacic striking first before Silva’s finish off the unfortunate Hoibraten. It was cruise control from then on for Pep Guardiola, who could and perhaps should have scored more.
Man City will now meet Fluminense on Friday in the final.
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