Club World Cup ; Manchester city beat Fluminese to be Crowned champions of the world

Jeddah, 

Friday, 22 December, 2023 

McCreadie Andias 

Julian Alvarez's Brace helped Manchester city clinch their first FIFA Club World Cup title with a dominant 4-0 win over Brazilian Based Fluminese in Jeddah on Friday night. 

The victory makes Manchester City the 1st Premier League side to win all 5 major trophies in the same year after previously winning the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and UEFA Super Cup. 

Julian Alvarez opened the score sheet for City with fastest goal in the tournament’s history in less than a minute as he snapped the deadlock. Fabio fingertipped a Nathan Ake curler from outside the box on to the post, and Julian Alvarez chested the ball into the unguarded net.

City doubled the lead when Rodri cannily slipped Phil Foden through and the latter’s centre was inadvertently diverted into the Fluminense net by Nino.

Guardiola's side continued to control the game and they made it 3-0 18 minutes from time. Alvarez was the creator on this occasion, sending in an inviting cross which the onrushing Foden slotted in from close range.

The outstanding Alvarez rounded off the scoring late in the game when he rifled an unstoppable finish beyond Fabio after some sublime close control.

The Victory also saw them become the first English team to conquer the competition at their first attempt – Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea had failed – and Pep Guardiola outrank Carlo Ancelotti and claim and outright-record fourth crown as coach.

Manchester city's midfielder Rodri won the tournament's Addidad Golden Ball as Kyle walker won the adidas Silver Ball. Fluminese Jhon Arias won the 

adidas Bronze Ball as the FIFA Fair Play Award went to Al Ittihad FC. 

Julian Alvarez, Karim Benzema and Al Ahyl's Maaloul. A, finished as joint top scorers for the tournament with two goals each. 

The FIFA Club World Cup is a played annually amongst Intercontinental club champions from Europe, Asia, South America, North America, Africa and Oceania including a team from the hosting nation.

This year's competition hosted European Champions Manchester city, South American champions Fluminese, African Champions Al Ahyl Cairo, North American champions Club Leon, Oceania champions Auckland City with Asia producing two competitors, ACL winners Urawa red diamonds and Saudi Arabian League winners Al Ittihad FC.

Manchester City saw off Urawa red diamonds booking the ticket into the Finals as Fluminese saw off Al Ahyl.

In a third place tier played earlier today. Al Ahyl Cairo saw off Urawa red Diamonds 4-2 to finish 3rd winning the bronze medal.

Meanwhile, FIFA has previously confirmed that the revamped Club World Cup in USA will debut from 15 June to 13 July 2025 where a total of 32 teams will participate. 

Some of the selected teams include Manchester City, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern, PSG, Inter, Benfica, FC Porto, Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, CF Monterrey, Seattle Sounders FC, Club León, Al Ahly SC, Wydad AC, Al Hilal SFC, Urawa Red Diamonds and Auckland City FC with others set to be selected. 

The new tournament format will include a group stage composed of eight groups of four teams per group playing in a single-game round-robin format with the top two teams per group progressing to the round of 16 

A direct single-match knockout stage from the round of 16 to the final with the third-place play-off scrapped.