A much-changed Cityzens lineup secured a showpiece meeting with Fluminense, with their main man missing out through injury
With Erling Haaland still sidelined, Manchester City turned elsewhere for help in a comfortable win over Urawa Reds which booked their place in the Club World Cup final. Forgotten man Matheus Nunes ran the show, while midfield stalwart Bernardo Silva also starred as City cruised to a 3-0 win.
Nunes played a key role from the first minute. Handed free roam in midfield, the Portuguese international showed why he can be a fit for this side. He enjoyed the best chance of the opening half, cutting inside his man before seeing an effort well-denied by Shusaku Nishikawa.
City's opportunities were otherwise limited, with Pep Guardiola's side forced to settle for a series of long shots and speculative efforts. A stroke of luck gave them the opener. Nunes ran into the right channel, before cutting a ball back towards the six-yard-box — which Marius Hoibraten turned into his own net.
Guardiola's side doubled their advantage just after the break. Mateo Kovacic grabbed the goal, meeting an incisive Kyle Walker through ball and finishing for a 2-0 lead. Silva turned home the decisive third, his deflected shot trickling into the corner.
This contest is perhaps more nuisance than opportunity for the Cityzens, who are surely more concerned about their worrying domestic form. Still, on Friday they will play for a trophy – and that counts for something.
GOAL rates Man City's players from King Abdullah Sports City…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Ederson (6/10):
Mostly a spectator, aside from one nervy moment when he missed a clearance.
Kyle Walker (7/10):
Swept up well at the back when Urawa broke. Provided a lovely assist for the City second.
John Stones (8/10):
Stepped into midfield to form a double pivot alongside Rodri. Made an important goal-line clearance to keep the clean sheet.
Manuel Akanji (7/10):
Tidy for the most part, aside from one silly yellow card.
Nathan Ake (6/10):
Didn't have loads to do – the opposition weren't exactly marauding forward. Completed 97% of his passes.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield
Rodri (8/10):
Won everything, circulated possession, and was dangerous in the final third. A cleaner strike or two and he would have been on the scoresheet.
Mateo Kovacic (7/10):
Did the dirty work in midfield. Cut passing lanes, kept the ball moving. Took his goal very well, too.
Matheus Nunes (8/10):
An unexpected standout after struggling to break into the team. Set up the first, was involved in the other two, and spent the contest serving as City's most apparent attacking threat.
Getty ImagesAttack
Phil Foden (6/10):
Switched into central areas regularly, where he looked dangerous on the ball. His influence waned as the game wore on.
Bernardo Silva (8/10):
Delightful to watch on the ball, and found clever angles against a dogged opposing defence. His goal wasn't pretty, but was definitely deserved.
Jack Grealish (5/10):
Consistently handed one-on-one matchups, but was continuously reluctant to take them on. Off the pace, by the end of things.
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Oscar Bobb (6/10):
A lively cameo on the wing from an exciting talent.
Julian Alvarez (5/10):
Had a number of good chances, but couldn't capitalise.
Josko Gvardiol (5/10):
Solid on the ball, not much defending to do. Would be nice to see him used as a centre-back.
Kalvin Phillips (N/A):
An anonymous showing from City's forgotten man.
Sergio Gomez (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Pep Guardiola (6/10):
Didn't have the luxury of a full-strength team, with Haaland out and Kevin De Bruyne still working his way back to fitness. City weren't excellent, but they certainly did enough to get the job done.
