Manchester City overcame their struggles at home to defeat Urawa Red Diamonds 3-0 in the Club World Cup semifinals on Tuesday, putting them one game away from a fifth title in 2023. The club has a strong record against the champion of Asia and showed no signs of faltering during the game. The goals came from an own goal by defender Marius Hoibraten just before halftime, followed by goals from Mateo Kovačić and Bernardo Silva early in the second half. Now Manchester City is favored to win the final against Fluminense of Brazil on Friday.
Manager Pep Guardiola stated, “It’s the only title that the club don’t have. The players know how important this game is for all of us at the club.” Despite their untypical run in the Premier League, winning only one of their last six games and conceding late goals, Manchester City found success in the international games. After recently closing out a perfect six-win streak in the Champions League group this month, their Club World Cup debut proved victorious.
De Bruyne was not risked despite taking part in a light training session Monday more than four months after having surgery on a hamstring injury. The biggest cheers during the match came when the faces of City stars Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne were broadcast on the screens placed high at each end of the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
The game concluded as a 40,127 crowd filled the stadium and made continuous noise throughout the match. The victory against Urawa was a testament to Manchester City’s offensive power and showcased a much wider gulf in skill between the teams. Urawa coach Maciej Skorża acknowledged his players could not handle the Premier League champion’s “huge offensive power.”
Another Europe vs. South America final will decide the last Club World Cup title in the current format that began in 2005. Urawa will also be in the lineup when FIFA relaunches the competition in June 2025 in the United States.