Foden and Doku give City a 2-0 victory against Wydad

Manchester City opened their adventure in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, in Group G, adding their first three points of the tournament after defeating 2-0 Wydad Casablanca at Lincoln Financial Field. The goals were scored by Phil Foden, MVP of the match, and Jérémy Doku, respectively.

It didn't take long for City to make their presence felt in the match. As early as the 2nd minute, Pep Guardiola's team was celebrating their first goal, with a play that started with Savinho, pushing in the one-on-one on the right side and unleashing a shot that was ineffectively saved by the Moroccan team's goalkeeper: Mehdi Benabid.

Savinho, the assist provider for Manchester City's first goal against Wydad in the 2025 Club World Cup

He cleared the ball to the middle, with the misfortune that the rebound fell to Phil Foden, who without hesitation took a left-footed shot that was unstoppable for the goalkeeper.

Wydad didn't back down against one of Europe's greats

And although that seemed like it could lead to a rout by the 'citizens', it opened the door to an attractive match, in which Wydad stood up to the English team. They showed courage and had more than one relatively dangerous chance.

It was seen, for example, in the 15th minute, with Thembinkosi Lorch trying to surprise Ederson with a shot from midfield; or in the 22nd minute, in a play that, if not for the entanglement between two Casablanca players, could have ended in a clear goal action in the area.

Even in the 31st minute, where, if not for the stellar intervention of Ederson against a close-range shot from Cassius Mailula, the score would have been 1-1.

Doku extended the 'citizens' lead before halftime

However, without being too brilliant, and when it seemed that the Moroccans deserved much more, Manchester City managed to make it 2-0. They took advantage of a set piece, with a scheme shot executed from the left sector by Foden, which fell raining into the area, and Jeremy Doku took advantage of the free mark to connect it, almost acrobatically, with his right leg.

Thus closed a first half in which, without being a clear dominator in the process and with barely any sporadic occasion, Guardiola's team imposed its supremacy.

Second half without scares and with absolute dominance from City

Although the first half became quite attractive and suggested that the second half could be just as lively, the reality was totally different. It was practically a monologue from Manchester City, a team that managed the result in a great way through possession.

A constant 'tiki-taka' for the minutes to pass, venturing from time to time in some offensive advance, with occasions, for example, from Doku and Haaland, without major demands.

Erling Haaland in the match between Manchester City and Wydad in the 2025 Club World Cup

It was a closure marked by the apparent wear and tear and the lowering of arms of the Moroccan team, and by the work of the 'Sky Blues' who, knowing they were winners and with a considerable advantage, took their foot off the accelerator.

Thus, the match closed with the English playing with one man less, after the expulsion of Rico Lewis in the 87th minute, and almost left with a third goal, which was going to be courtesy of Erling Haaland. However, in the one-on-one, the Wydad goalkeeper responded solvently.

Victory without brilliance and with questions for the 'citizens'

Solid victory for those from Manchester, who did their homework and added the three points, in a performance that, although positive at the result level, left a great uncertainty in the air: was the intermittent rhythm of City conditioned by the type of match, or is it a team that still has a lot to adjust?