Club World Cup 2025: Man City Crush Juventus In 5-2 Rout; Maintain Perfect Record Upon Rodri Return
City and Juventus will learn their opponent after the final pair of games in Group H conclude later on Friday.
Rodri returns
It was a promising day for City, featuring the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, who made his first start since rupturing his ACL in September. Guardiola's side, incorporating several fresh faces, appeared significantly stronger than the squad that finished 13 points behind Premier League champions Liverpool last season.
Manchester City dominated from the outset, with Bernardo Silva testing Juventus keeper Michele Di Gregorio in the fifth minute. Four minutes later, Rayan Ait-Nouri's incisive pass found Jeremy Doku, who finished coolly to put City ahead.
Juventus briefly equalised when Ederson's poor pass was pounced on by Teun Koopmeiners, who scored confidently. But a 26th-minute own goal by Pierre Kalulu, turning in a Matheus Nunes cross under no pressure, restored City's lead.
After a brief downpour, Erling Haaland came on at halftime and needed just seven minutes to score his 300th career goal, tapping in from a Nunes cross.
City remained in control. Haaland's overhit cross was recovered by Savinho, who set up Phil Foden for an easy finish. Moments later, Savinho smashed in City's fifth after Haaland's shot was saved.
Juventus managed a late consolation through Dusan Vlahovic, who scored after a slick pass from Kenan Yildiz.
'It has been a long time since we had a performance like this on and off the ball. The players were committed, and we are happy to beat a top side," Guardiola said afterwards.
For Juventus, it was a mauling that they will need to quickly recover from before their last 16 game.
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