Manchester City outclass Urawa Red Diamonds to reach Club World Cup final
Guardiola’s men set up a title showdown with Brazilian side Fluminense
Jeddah: Manchester City outclassed Urawa Red Diamonds in a 3-0 victory in the King Abdullah Sports City stadium on Tuesday to set up a Club World Cup final showdown against Brazilian side Fluminense.
European champions City were frustrated by a well-organised Japanese side during the opening half but took the lead with an own goal by Marius Hoibraten in stoppage time.
Mateo Kovacic made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute and Bernardo Silva’s deflected shot a few minutes later meant City could play the rest of the game in cruise control.
Heavy favourites
Pep Guardiola’s City, who had won only three of their previous eight games in all competitions, are looking to become the fourth English club to win the title after Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.
They will start as heavy favourites in Friday’s final against Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense who on Monday beat Egypt’s Al Ahly 2-0.
Earlier, an Erling Haaland had to sit out due to an injury. Haaland has missed City’s two previous matches due to a foot injury and faces a race against time to be fit for Friday’s final.
Kevin De Bruyne returned to training on Monday for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in August.
But the Belgian is not included in the City squad, while Jeremy Doku also misses out due to injury.