Manchester City have established themselves as the best club in the world after dismantling Fluminense 4-0 in Friday’s 2023 FIFA Club World Cup final.
Argentina youngster Julian Alvarez was the star of the match, scoring twice for City in a dominating victory that saw the winger “complete football” at just 23 years of age. Prior to Friday’s triumph as well as his stint at City, Alvarez had performed a clean sweep of domestic and continental honors at his native Argentina with both River Plate and the Argentina national team, before joining City and performing a clean sweep of domestic and continental honors there too.
Under the management of Pep Guardiola, City, entering the tournament as the reigning Champions League winners, enjoyed a perfect start when Alvarez scored just 40 seconds into the match, chesting in the rebound from Nathan Ake’s long-range shot that had hit the post. The lead was doubled in the 27th minute when Nino accidentally turned Phil Foden’s cross into his own net.
In the second half, England international Foden added his name to the scoresheet by capitalizing on Alvarez’s cross, before the Argentine forward sealed his brace with a clinical strike into the far corner in the 88th minute.
The only blemish in City’s triumphant night at Jeddah was an injury suffered by star midfielder Rodri in the 74th minute, and with the Cityzens undergoing a rough patch domestically, his presence will be surely missed.
This victory saw City join the ranks of Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea in claiming the Club World Cup, while at the same time making them the first English side to secure five trophies in a single calendar year. Following last season’s Treble of Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League, City had already clinched the UEFA Super Cup in August.