Foden and Doku Shines as Man City Beat Wydad in Club World Cup Opener

Manchester City began their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 campaign with a commanding 2–0 victory over Wydad Casablanca, thanks to early brilliance from Phil Foden, a stunning volley from Jeremy Doku, and midfield dominance in a heavily rotated lineup. But the game wasn’t short of controversy, with a late red card to Rico Lewis and flares thrown by Wydad fans stealing headlines in Philadelphia.

Foden Strikes Fast, Doku Adds Class

It took just 114 seconds for Phil Foden to put City ahead. The England international pounced on a loose deflection and fired low into the net, giving Guardiola’s men the lead in record time for the competition.

Shortly before halftime, Foden turned provider. His driven corner was expertly met by Jeremy Doku, who unleashed a thunderous volley into the roof of the net. The Belgian winger’s finish sparked wild celebrations and sealed a dominant first half for City.

Midfield Control and Cherki’s Quiet Debut

With several first-team stars rested, including Erling Haaland and Rodri, Pep Guardiola handed minutes to new faces. Tijjani Reijnders and Phil Foden controlled the tempo, while Rayan Cherki made his much-anticipated debut. Though the French youngster didn’t have a standout performance, he showed flashes of composure and will be one to watch in upcoming fixtures.

City’s midfield, even without regular starters, overwhelmed Wydad with slick passing and positioning, highlighting the depth of Guardiola’s squad.

Late Drama: Rico Lewis Sees Red

In the dying minutes, Rico Lewis was shown a straight red card for a high challenge. The referee didn’t hesitate, and VAR confirmed the decision. Guardiola later criticized the moment as “avoidable,” noting the importance of discipline in tournament football.

Adding to the chaos, Wydad fans threw flares onto the pitch, halting play and creating a dramatic visual in the closing stages. Security quickly restored order, but the incident underlined the passion—and volatility—of the crowd in Philadelphia.

Tactical Takeaways

• City’s depth is real: With key stars on the bench, the squad delivered a controlled, professional performance.
• Foden looks revived: A goal and assist underline his importance as City seek global dominance.
• Cherki needs time: A quiet debut, but there’s no doubt the talent is there.
• Discipline warning: Rico Lewis’s red could affect rotation plans in the next group match.

What’s Next?
City face Al Ain in their next Club World Cup group game, aiming to book an early ticket to the knockout rounds. Guardiola is expected to rotate again, but after this performance, depth doesn’t look like a concern.

 
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