Manchester City and Real Madrid cruise into the Club World Cup knockouts

Manchester City underlined their status as serious Club World Cup contenders with a commanding 5-2 win over Juventus on Thursday (June 26), while Vinicius Junior led Real Madrid to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Salzburg, sealing a place in the last 16.

Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia edged out Salzburg for the final knockout berth, defeating Mexico’s Pachuca 2-0 thanks to goals from Salem Al Dawsari and Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo.

Al Ain score morale-boosting win

Meanwhile, in Washington, DC, Al Ain of the UAE earned a consolation 2-1 win over Wydad Casablanca in a clash between two already-eliminated sides. Al Ain got on the scoresheet after heavy defeats to City and Juventus. South African Cassius Mailula gave Wydad an early lead, but Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba equalised from the penalty spot just before halftime. Midfielder Alejandro Romero then curled home the winner, earning Al Ain a morale-boosting 2-1 victory.

City became the only team to win all three of their group-stage matches, dismantling Juventus in front of 54,320 fans at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. Their next test comes against Al Hilal, the last remaining Asian representative.

Winger Jeremy Doku opened the scoring after a clever setup from new signing Rayan Ait-Nouri. Despite a brief lapse when goalkeeper Ederson gifted the ball to Teun Koopmeiners, who equalised for Juventus, City quickly regained control. Pierre Kalulu’s own goal from a Matheus Nunes cross restored the lead.

In the second half, City turned on the style. Erling Haaland, brought on at the break, tapped in the third and then teed up Phil Foden for the fourth. Savinho added a spectacular long-range fifth to seal an emphatic win. Dusan Vlahovic scored a late consolation for Juventus, but the result was never in doubt.

City also welcomed back midfielder Rodri for his first start after injury, a key boost as they look to salvage a trophyless season by their lofty standards.

Vinicius shines for Real Madrid

In Philadelphia, Vinicius Junior stole the spotlight for Real Madrid, scoring once and assisting another in a 3-0 win over Salzburg that secured top spot in Group H and set up a last-16 clash with Juventus in Miami on Tuesday.

The Brazilian winger broke the deadlock in the 40th minute, finishing off a brilliant through-ball from Jude Bellingham. He then delivered a sublime backheel assist for Federico Valverde to double the lead in first-half stoppage time.

Gonzalo Garcia added a third late on, scoring his second of the tournament to seal another victory for Xabi Alonso’s side, who remain unbeaten.

Star striker Kylian Mbappe remains sidelined due to illness and has yet to appear in the competition.

—   With inputs from AFP