Manchester City delivered a masterclass in attacking football on Thursday, overpowering Juventus 5-2 at Orlando's Camping World Stadium to secure top spot in Group G of the FIFA Club World Cup. The victory showcased the English champions' depth and resilience as they prepare for the knockout stages.
The match turned decisively in the 26th minute when Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu scored an unfortunate own goal while attempting to intercept a dangerous City pass. This opened the floodgates for Erling Haaland, who netted his 300th career goal for City, alongside Phil Foden and Savinho, who added second-half strikes to complete the rout.
Notable subplots included Rodri's return to the starting lineup after knee surgery, with the 2023 Ballon d'Or winner playing 66 minutes before being substituted. Jeremy Doku opened City's account early, though Juventus briefly equalized through Teun Koopmeiners before collapsing defensively.
With this result, Manchester City advance to face Group H's runners-up on June 30 in Orlando, while Juventus will meet Group H's winners on July 1 in Miami Gardens. The performance solidifies City's status as tournament favorites while raising questions about Juventus' defensive stability ahead of critical matches.
