Manchester City sent a resounding message to their Club World Cup rivals with a commanding 5-2 victory over Juventus at Camping World Stadium, securing top spot in Group G with a perfect record. Pep Guardiola’s men showcased their attacking prowess and tactical dominance, dismantling the Serie A giants in a performance that echoed their very best. Erling Haaland’s milestone 300th career goal, alongside strikes from Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, Savinho, and an own goal from Pierre Kalulu, ensured City’s place in the last 16, where they will face Al Hilal, while Juventus, despite the defeat, advance to meet Real Madrid.
Early Sparks and Defensive Lapses
The match kicked off at a blistering pace, with City asserting control early. In the ninth minute, new signing Rayan Aït-Nouri delivered a sublime through pass to Jeremy Doku, who skipped past his marker and slotted the ball coolly into the bottom corner. The Belgian’s opener set the tone for City’s relentless pressure, with 24 shots compared to Juventus’ mere four by the final whistle.
However, Juventus capitalized on a rare City error just two minutes later. Goalkeeper Éderson’s misplaced pass gifted Teun Koopmeiners an opportunity, and the Dutch midfielder made no mistake, drilling a low shot past the stranded keeper to level the score at 1-1. The equalizer briefly energized the Old Lady, but their defensive frailties soon resurfaced.
In the 26th minute, Matheus Nunes’ low cross from the right caught Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu off guard. Under minimal pressure, Kalulu inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, restoring City’s lead. The own goal highlighted Juventus’ struggles to cope with City’s fluid movement and precise passing, a theme that persisted throughout the match.
Two defenders beat. One kid in disbelief. @ManCity | #FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/2WKOEnU7VU
— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 26, 2025
City’s Second-Half Blitz
The second half saw Manchester City shift into top gear, with Erling Haaland leading the charge. In the 52nd minute, Nunes threaded another pinpoint pass to the Norwegian striker, who bundled the ball home for his 300th career goal—a remarkable milestone reached in fewer games than Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, or Kylian Mbappé. The strike not only underlined Haaland’s lethal finishing but also City’s ability to exploit quick transitions.
Phil Foden extended City’s lead in the 69th minute, poking in a close-range effort after Savinho tapped Haaland’s low cross into his path. Six minutes later, Savinho capped a dazzling individual display with a stunning strike, curling the ball into the net to make it 5-1. The Brazilian winger’s goal was a fitting reward for his constant menace down the flank, earning praise from fans and pundits alike.
Juventus managed a late consolation through Dusan Vlahovic in the 84th minute. However, it did little to dampen City’s dominance, as they comfortably saw out the game, managing the clock with their trademark possession-based style.
