Manchester City made a resounding statement at the FIFA Club World Cup, sealing their place in the knockout stages with a commanding 6-0 win over Al Ain at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Pep Guardiola’s men looked every bit the part, overwhelming the UAE Pro League side with flair, fluidity, and a ruthless edge. Ilkay Gundogan set the tone early with a sublime chip in the eighth minute, a finish so audacious it left even his own teammates wondering whether it was instinct or intention.
Claudio Echeverri, handed his first start, added City’s second just before the half-hour mark with a stunning free-kick that clipped the bar on its way in. The 19-year-old showed composure beyond his years and looked at ease on the biggest stage.
Haaland added his customary goal from the penalty spot just before half-time after Manuel Akanji was brought down, giving City a 3-0 cushion at the break. Al Ain had a few bright moments, notably through Nassim Chadli, but were largely suffocated by City’s relentless press and control.
Gundogan struck again in the 75th minute, latching on to a Bernardo Silva pass to calmly slot home City’s fourth. The final act belonged to Guardiola’s bench, with substitutes Oscar Bobb and Rayan Cherki both getting on the scoresheet in the dying moments.
Cherki, on debut, looked lively and capped his performance with a sharp low drive after a neat link-up with Haaland. Bobb’s goal moments earlier came from a smart cut inside and tidy near-post finish, underscoring the squad’s depth.
City could have added a seventh through Phil Foden, but Khalid Eissa denied him in stoppage time. Still, six goals without reply was more than enough to secure qualification from Group G with a game to spare.
The Blues now sit second only to Juventus on goals scored, setting up a tantalising showdown in Orlando for top spot.
