Gundogan scores twice as Man City hit six to progress

BBC News

23-06-2025

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.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.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.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.