The easiest trophy in town. They beautifully eliminated Fluminense in the World Cup final and didn’t even realize it! Video
Konstantin Krinsky December 22, 2023, 23:10 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
New cup: new emotions.
Manchester City defeated Fluminense in the Club World Cup final 2-0. The tournament was played in Saudi Arabia. This is the first trophy of its kind for MS and the third for Pep Guardiola. Perhaps it has never been easier for the British.
The English champion and current Champions League winner did not give their rival time to build – City scored immediately. And this without Erling Haaland (the Norwegian looked at his teammates from the side)! “Fluminense” was not even for a minute with the score tied with “MS”: Nathan Ake shot from distance and hit the post, and Julián Álvarez managed to finish. The Argentine scored a beautiful fish on the fall… with his chest! A truly unusual performance. Additionally, Álvarez scored the fastest goal in World Cup history. 40 seconds were enough for the forward to illuminate his name on the scoreboard.
Video rights belong to National Sports Channel LLC. You can watch the video on the Match TV page on VKontakte.
It seemed like the game was about to open! But the fans’ fantasies remained only in their heads. Fluminense played strangely and even surprisingly: they defended with a low block and passed the ball under pressure in their own area. It was as if the team forced itself to make mistakes, because it was already problematic to face a better opponent, and even more so when you invite them to your goal again and again. In other words, there was only one team on the field.
And even the veteran stars did not help Fluminense. Marcelo, Ganso, Felipe Melo… they all demonstrated at times why they were always up to date. The older stars stood out for their skills, but they didn’t exactly lead the team. There was more individual than collective. And this almost always turns out in favor of the opponent in matches against Manchester City.
Midway through the second half, Fluminense scored. Phil Foden flew into the area from the inside left, crossed into the central zone and defender Nino, in a tackle, wonderfully cut the ball into his own goal. In a high arc, as if in slow motion. But Zenit is interested in this boy. It is not the best publicity for a possible move to Russia.
Video rights belong to National Sports Channel LLC. You can watch the video on the Match TV page on VKontakte.
After the break nothing changed during the game. City dominated, they shot a lot from distance and dominated the rebound. Fluminense broke out, but not in a particularly dangerous way. Neither the substitutions, nor the water break, nor the chants of the Brazilian fans helped. The class difference was so great that Guardiola’s team seemed to lose interest in what was happening in the second half. To understand it: the rival only got it right once in 90 minutes.
Halfway through the second half, Foden scored again. Now on my own, without the help of other people’s tackles. The midfielder blocked a cross from Álvarez from the left wing. City exploded for a moment, increased their lead and calmed down again. Why bother? Guardiola also realized this, so almost immediately after the goal he took Stones, Rodri, Ake and Foden off the field.
Video rights belong to National Sports Channel LLC. You can watch the video on the Match TV page on VKontakte.
Video rights belong to National Sports Channel LLC. You can watch the video on the Match TV page on VKontakte.
Álvarez’s fourth goal at the end of the match: the striker overall became the best player of the match, scoring 2+1. In the 88th minute, Julián received the ball from the fresh Matus Núñez, processed it with a touch, eliminated the rival with the second and scored it with the third. An elite goal in all aspects.
Video rights belong to National Sports Channel LLC. You can watch the video on the Match TV page on VKontakte.
The victory in the Club World Cup was a milestone for Manchester City. Although this trophy is certainly important for the collection: because previously “MS” simply did not have it, nor the opportunity to fight for it. They wrote their name in history, although few believed otherwise: Europe’s clubs are taking the World Cup one after another, not letting anyone come close to this cup since 2012. Dominion as it is.
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