Key Points

Ilkay Gundogan (2), Claudio Echeverri, Erling Haaland, Oscar Bobb and Rayan Cherki all opened their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 accounts as hopes of knockout-stage football were extinguished for both their outplayed Emirati opponents and City’s opening-game victims, Wydad AC.

Pep Guardiola’s side weren’t always at their sparkling best, but the outcome was never really in doubt from the moment Gundogan gave them an eighth-minute lead. Only the German will know for sure whether the goal was a perfectly judged chip, an attempted cross or, quite possibly, a little of both.

Either way, it settled City nerves and was followed by a goal of unquestionable brilliance. Echeverri became the second Argentinian at this tournament, after Lionel Messi, to score direct from a free-kick, and his superb curling effort was every bit as impressive as at his famous countryman's.

It was a spectacular way for the teenager to notch his first City goal, and he was soon joined on the scoresheet by the club’s most prolific player.

Erling Haaland had gone a close a couple of times and, when Rami Rabia was penalised for a foul on Nathan Ake in first-half stoppage time, he seized his chance, sending the keeper the wrong way with a coolly dispatched penalty.

Guardiola’s side continued to dominate in a one-sided second half, and saw their advantage extended by Gundogan’s second – lofted home after a clever reverse pass from Bernardo Silva – and a smart finish from substitute Oscar Bobb.

Further gloss was added to the scoreline with a minute remaining when Haaland teed up Cherki to rifle home his first goal since joining the club from Lyon.

Gurdiola's men will now turn to Orlando, where an in-form Juventus – who lead the section on goals scored – will offer City stiff resistance in the battle to finish top.

- IANS