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2023.12.23 14:03 GMT+8

Man City beat Fluminense to win Club World Cup, Al-Ahly finish third

Updated 2023.12.23 14:03 GMT+8
CGTN

Manchester City won their first ever Club World Cup title, also their fifth trophy overall in a calendar year, beating Fluminense 4-0 on Friday. Meanwhile, Al-Ahly beat Urawa Red Diamonds 4-2 in the third-place playoff.

City have now won the FA Cup, Premier League, Champions League and UEFA Super Cup, as well as their maiden title at the Club World Cup, in the same year. "It was an incredible year," said City manager Pep Guardiola. "Today we closed the chapter. We won everything we could. Now time to try again," he added, after clinching his 16th title with the English side and becoming the first coach to lead three clubs to the Club World Cup titles, with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011, and Bayern Munich in 2013.

Manchester City celebrate winning the FIFA Club World Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, December 22, 2023. /CFP

"To win these five trophies – for me, the five biggest prizes available to us – is incredible," said City captain Kyle Walker. "I am so proud to have been a part of this and I can honestly say it's an honor to play alongside these players; I couldn't ask for better team mates."

"It's really, really hard to win consistently, so to be sat here today having won the [five titles] is really special and a huge achievement," he added.

Julian Alvarez scored the fastest goal in the event's history only 40 seconds in, when he found himself right in front of the goal to net in the rebound Fluminense keeper Fabio failed to save after keeping out a long shot from City's Nathan Ake.

Nino scored an own goal in the 27th minute after deflecting a shot from Phil Foden, who later extended City's lead in the 72nd minute when he slid in their third goal after a cross from Alvarez, before Alvarez achieved a double in the 88th minute with a strike from inside the box.

"We faced a City which has been the best team in the world for the last five years and they know how to make the most of the opportunities they create," said Fluminense manager Fernando Diniz.

"They are always spot on, scored really early and they punished us for the mistakes we made. We have to be proud for our incredible year and to have paved the road that led us here. It was an amazing ride and there is nothing to be ashamed of," he added.

City's Rodri, who survived a tackle that forced him out of the match by Aleksander in the second half, was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament, and Walker claimed the Silver Ball. Rodri said after the match he would be fit for City's Premier League fixture at Everton on Wednesday though.

Al-Ahly players celebrate during the FIFA Club World Cup third-place playoff in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, December 22, 2023. /CFP

Earlier in the day, Al-Ahly managed to secure a top-three finish at the event for the fourth time.

Al-Ahly led 2-0 with goals from Mohamed Hany and Percy Tau, but the Japanese side reduced their deficit when Jose Kante scored in his final game before retirement and Alexander Scholz fired in a penalty after a Hany handball. The Egyptian side restored their lead six minutes later when Yoshio Koizumi netted in an own goal and Maaloul wrapped up their victory with a brilliant free kick.

(With input from Reuters)

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