Manchester City Dominates Urawa Red Diamonds in Club World Cup Semi-final

2023-12-19 20:29:09

Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) (AFP) – Manchester City, big favorite of the competition, logically dominated the Japanese team of Urawa Red Diamonds 3-0 in the semi-final of the Club World Cup, Tuesday in Jeddah, and will face the Brazilians of Fluminense for the title.

Published on: 12/19/2023 – 9:29 p.m.

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Deprived of his star striker Erling Haaland and his playing master Kevin de Bruyne, insufficiently recovered from their injuries, the European champion had to wait until added time in the first half to make the difference, with a goal against his camp of the unfortunate Marius Hoibraten (45th+1). In the second half, Mateo Kovacic doubled the lead with a point-blank shot (53rd), before Bernardo Silva added to the score (59th).

However, this broad success was difficult to validate. The first act was a long sequence of attack-defense, the winners of the Champions League stifling their opponent without finding the fault in the very grouped defense of the Red Diamonds.

Rodri lit the first fuse with a powerful strike at ground level from just wide (7th). Uninhibited, the Japanese reacted in the following minute, José Kanté being very close to intercepting a back pass from John Stones for Ederson.

At the half-hour mark, Matheus Nunes created the clearest opportunity but he came up against goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa, just like Phil Foden (36th).

Having endured, being pounded by the Mancunian attack, Urawa fell on a cross from Matheus Nunes catapulted into his goal by Marius Hoibraten.

Back from the locker room, pushed by almost the entire audience at the King Abdallah stadium, the Citizens stepped on the accelerator. They were rewarded with goals from Mateo Kovacic, well launched in the middle by Kyle Walker, and Bernardo Silva, lucky, his shot being deflected by a defender shortly before the hour mark.

Left behind in the English championship, City will face Fluminense on Friday in a highly anticipated duel between the winner of the C1 and the winner of the Copa Libertadores. Pep Guardiola will try to collect a fourth trophy after those won with FC Barcelona (2009, 2011) and Bayern Munich (2013).

Bernardo Silva (#20) closed the score for Manchester City, clear winner of Urawa in the semi-final of the Club World Cup in Jeddah, December 19, 2023 © Giuseppe CACACE / AFP

Update on the competition

Tuesday December 12, 1st round

Al Ittihad (KSA) – Auckland City (NZL) 3-0

Friday December 15, 2nd round

Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) – Club Léon (MEX) 1-0

Al Ahly (ONE) – Al Ittihad (KSA) 3-1

Monday December 18

semi-final 1

Fluminense (BRA) – Al Ahly (ONE) 2-0

Tuesday December 19

semi-final 2

Manchester City (ENG) – Urawa Red Diamonds (JAP) 3-0