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Manchester City crushed Al-Ain 6–0 in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, extending their winning streak and comfortably booking their place in the knockout stage. The match was a complete showcase of dominance, with goals flying in from all corners. Ilkay Gundogan scored twice, and young Argentine star Claudio Echeverri stole the spotlight with a spectacular free-kick goal. Erling Haaland, Oscar Bobb, and Rayan Cherki also added their names to the scoresheet.
Pep Guardiola had plenty to smile about after the match, especially with two debutants, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Echeverri, delivering standout performances. Echeverri, making his first full appearance for the club, impressed fans and critics alike with his creativity and that superb goal. Ait-Nouri also caught the eye with his attacking runs from the left flank. Guardiola praised the young left-back’s intelligence and versatility in both defence and attack.
The night also belonged to Gundogan, who silenced any transfer rumours with a calm and confident performance in midfield, scoring two important goals. Guardiola called him “exceptional in all senses,” clearly valuing his leadership and football IQ on the pitch.
Unfortunately, Echeverri’s night ended on a slightly sour note as he was forced off with a knock just before the second half. Guardiola downplayed the injury, saying it was just a sore twist. He also revealed a behind-the-scenes secret—that Echeverri had been practising free kicks religiously after every training session since he arrived at City. “Work pays off,” Guardiola said. “If he scored a goal, it’s because he practised. When other guys don’t, they don’t score.”
Echeverri, who joined City in early 2024 and spent last season back on loan at River Plate, had only made brief cameos before this match, including an appearance in the FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace and a late substitution against Fulham in the Premier League. But this game marked his true arrival.
With the knockout rounds ahead, City are looking sharp, and if performances like this continue, they’ll be one of the favourites to lift the trophy.