Last season was pretty rough for Man City, as the club from Etihad experienced its first trophyless campaign after eight years. However, the very end of the 2024/2025 campaign could bring them a trophy. Yes, it’s too early to predict anything, but the Cityzens opened their participation at the FIFA Club World Cup with a crushing victory over Wydad Casablanca.Already after the opening 45 minutes, the winner was clear, as the Premier League side was 2-0 up behind Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku’s goals.After the break, Pep Guardiola’s men were simply getting the job done. The Spanish tactician gave some regular starters whom he had previously benched a chance, while Rico Lewis was sent off in the dying minutes of the game. Nevertheless, the result did not change.FULL TIME: @ManCity debuts on #FIFACWC with a solid win over @WACofficiel 🔝Watch the @fifacwc | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #MCIWAC pic.twitter.com/E4JmoLKeqY— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 18, 2025 The Cityzens couldn’t have wished for a better start, as they broke the deadlock only two minutes into the match. Their wingers, Jeremy Doku and Savinho, “widened” Wydad’s defence, the Brazilian crossed the ball in, and the Moroccans’ keeper Mehdi Benabid deflected it, sending it straight to Phil Foden’s foot, “helping” the Englishman score the fastest goal in the tournament so far.1′ GOAL! Foden opens the score under 2 minutes of gameplay! 🔥Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #MCIWAC pic.twitter.com/tf8qvq3jvf— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 18, 2025 Only seven minutes later, Omar Marmoush attempted from the edge of the box, but his effort went millimetres away from the right post. Still, Wydad didn’t focus solely on defence, using every opportunity to threaten the favourites. And they awaited a massive one over Thembinkosi Lorch and Cassius Mailula following Vitor Reis huge mistake. The latter of the two Wydad players shot, but Ederson superbly stopped his strike.That’s the attitude – Cherki believes he could win the Ballon d’Or at Man CityBenabid responded with his magnificent save in the 38th minute after Foden’s close-range effort, but the Wydad custodian couldn’t have done anything three minutes later when Doku smashed the ball in with a skilful volley following Foden’s corner-kick cross, putting the Cityzens 2-0 in front at the break.41′ ⚽ GOAL! Doku is free in the box to slot that corner kick in for @ManCity. The Blues are 2-0 up!Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #MCIWAC pic.twitter.com/1oUyzS6dN0— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 18, 2025 Nine minutes into the second half, Wydad’s defender Guilherme Ferreira lost the ball near the box, Doku snatched it and shot, but Benabid pulled off another marvellous save. Five minutes later, Pep Guardiola subbed in Erling Haaland and Rodri – who had surpisingly been benched – as well as the young Oscar Bobb for the debutant Rayan Cherki, and the two scorers, Foden and Doku.Two LONG scoring droughts for Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden are broken in the first half of Man City’s Club World Cup matchup against Wydad Casablanca ⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/sKu3hHf8qS— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 18, 2025 In the end, the Cityzens’ peaceful finish of the game was spoiled by Rico Lewis, who was sent off in the penultimate minute for a reckless and dangerous tackle on Samuel Obeng.In the next round, Wydad will take on another challenging task against Juventus, while Man City will face Al Ain from the United Arab Emirates.FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025Matchday 1SundayAl Ahly Cairo – Inter Miami 0-0Bayern Munich – Auckland City 10-0 (6-0)/Coman 6, 21, Boey 18, Olise 20, 45+3, Muller 45, 89, Musiala 67, 73 pen, 84/PSG – Atletico Madrid 3-0 (2-0)/Ruiz 19, Vitinha 45+1, Mayulu 87/MondayPalmeiras – Porto 0-0Botafogo – Seattle 2-1 (2-0)/Jair 28, Igor Jesus 44 – Roldan 75/MondayChelsea – Los Angeles 2-0 (1-0)/Neto 34, Fernandez 79/TuesdayBoca Juniors – Benfica 2-2 (2-1)/Merentiel 21, Battaglia 27 – Di Maria 45+3 pen, Otamendi 84/Flamengo – Esperance 2-0 (1-0)/De Arrascaeta 17, Araujo 70/Fluminense – Dortmund 0-0River Plate – Urawa RD 3-1 (1-0)/Colidio 12, Druissi 48, Meza 73 – Matsuo 58 (p)/WednesdayUlsan – Mamelodi 0-1 (0-1)/Rayners 36/Monterrey – Inter Milan 1-1 (1-1)/Ramos 25 – Martinez 42/Manchester City – Wydad Casablanca 2-0 (2-0)/Foden 2, Doku 42/22:00: (1.33) Real Madrid (5.90) Al Hilal (9.50)Thursday00:55: (2.85) Pachuca (3.35) Salzburg (2.50)04:00: (12.0) Al Ain (6.50) Juventus (1.22)***odds are subject to change***
