Erling Haaland furious with Man City failure despite dominant Club World Cup win
MANCHESTER CITY 6-0 AL AIN: Erling Haaland was left ruing missed chances despite Pep Guardiola's side picking up a dominant win at their Club World Cup defence
Erling Haaland was furious at the final whistle as Manchester City hit Al Ain for six but still rued missed chances. Pep Guardiola's men are second in their Group and must now beat Juventus on Thursday to avoid a potential last 16 showdown with Real Madrid in Miami on Tuesday, July 1.
They could be left to regret a string of missed chances because they have the same goal difference as Juventus but have scored one goal less. That was why Haaland was angry at the end of the game in the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta and the City striker could easily have had a hat trick himself.
Ilkay Gundogan scored twice, Claudio Echeverri hit a terrific free kick, Haaland scored a penalty while Rayan Cherki and Oscar Bobb were also on target in a very one-sided game in front of 40,392 fans.
But even keeper Stefan Ortega admitted the players knew they needed one more goal which would have meant they just needed a draw against Juve on Thursday to top the Group.
Ortega said: 'Of course we were aware we needed the extra goal. Everyone was aware because we are watching the games as well. We are smart guys as well.
'It's not always about the easy part because all the teams are really good but it's more about finishing the Group first.'
City boss Pep Guardiola added: 'With one more goal, we would have two options but we only have one now. It would be better but important is we are in the next phase. If you want to go through you have to face top, top teams so it does not matter.'
City's new left back Rayan Aït-Nouri shone on his first start in the Club World Cup - Guardiola changed the whole team from their first game with Wydad - and he really was eye-catching along with man of the match Ilkay Gundogan.
Guardiola said on Aït-Nouri: 'Wow. He had to defend a back four, then make a back five. He played really, really good. Not for the first time.
'It was his first game but he has played in the Premier League for many years, he can help us play in that role outside but then had to play as a holding midfielder and go into the pockets. He moves really well into the spaces.
'He is intelligent and clear to defend and take the ball. He is so clever in the final third, taking the right decisions to create more spaces. Really pleased for the game he played.'
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Does Gundogan still have a role to play in Guardiola's newly formed midfield? Use the thumbs below. Update: Date: 09:03 BST Title: Get Involved - your thoughts on the Club World Cup so far Content: WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) I've got time for it (highlights and keeping up with the permutations). The problem is we are 'football snobs' and don't value any clubs/leagues outside of Europe. Watching the South American clubs has been a refreshing change to our increasingly dull game of structures and limiting individual brilliance. Jeremy, Grantham Update: Date: 08:58 BST Title: Cherki 'has that swagger' Content: BBC Radio 5 Live Described as "one of the greatest technicians in Europe," Rayan Cherki's arrival at Manchester City has been a big talking point of the transfer window so far. 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"Wow," said Guardiola of Ait-Nouri's performance. "He had to defend a back four, then make a back five. He played really, really good, not for the first time. "It was his first game but he has played in the Premier League for many years." Playing at the incredible Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ait-Nouri showcased the class he possesses with driving runs up and down the left flank. He played the full game and highlighted why he will be such an asset with a total of 92 touches of the ball, including seven in the opposition box, second only to Erling Haaland. Update: Date: 08:38 BST Title: Post Content: Lorraine McKennaBBC Sport Journalist Great to have your thoughts in so quick, folks. But if you can, please put your name on your messages so we can say hello to you. For the trio of Anons, I'm going to call you Rod, Jane and Freddy. Update: Date: 08:34 BST Title: Get Involved - your thoughts on the Club World Cup so far Content: WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) I'd rather watch grass grow. Anon Personally I think the competition is nothing but a nonsense! It's only designed to eventually replace the World Cup. It's for a handful of ignorant people. Anon As a neutral, I watched one half of the tournament on the second day. I really struggled to get into it because the lack of fans and the somewhat corporate atmosphere conjured images of the pandemic games for me. That's not something I ever want to relive. Anon Update: Date: 08:31 BST Title: Post Content: Lorraine McKennaBBC Sport Journalist The Club World Cup is getting the cold thumb from you lot so far - those down votes are coming in thick and fast. Update: Date: 08:23 BST Title: Get Involved - your thoughts on the Club World Cup so far Content: WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) Maybe the first question should be: Have you watched any of the tournament yet? Some of the kick-off times across the pond don't lend themselves to us here in UK but even if your team is taking part, has the competition in the United States passed you by? On the flip side, now that we're getting to the end of the short group phase and heading into the knockout stages, is this when your interest will perk up? Would Manchester City meeting Real Madrid in the last-16 be a good thing to entice viewers? Get in touch with us via the usual channels on WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply). Update: Date: 08:16 BST Title: Cherki scores first City goal Content: Katie StaffordBBC Sport Journalist If you scored your first goal for your new team, and it was the sixth goal of the game, then you would probably want to milk the moment - I definitely would. But for summer signing Rayan Cherki, his Manchester City teammates had other ideas. A quick high five with Ruben Dias and back to the centre-spot they went because City wanted that seventh goal. Bernardo Silva, Pep Guardiola's newly appointed captain, even tapped an imaginary watch from the bench!
