Manchester City stormed into the knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup with a commanding 5-2 win over Juventus on Thursday, topping Group G and securing a Round of 16 clash with Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia.
Belgian winger Jeremy Doku put in a standout performance in Orlando, opening the scoring in the 9th minute with a composed finish into the top right corner after dazzling footwork in the box. Teun Koopmeiners briefly drew Juventus level two minutes later, but the match quickly tilted in City’s favor.
A 26th-minute own goal from Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu, who misjudged a cross from Savinho and deflected the ball past his own goalkeeper, restored City’s lead. From there, the Premier League champions never looked back.
Just seven minutes after being subbed on in the second half, Erling Haaland made his mark with a clinical finish from close range following a clever assist by Matheus Nunes. The strike was Haaland’s 300th career goal for club and country—an extraordinary milestone for the 24-year-old Norwegian.
Phil Foden, introduced in the 66th minute, added City’s fourth with a simple tap-in just three minutes later. While Haaland’s header in the 75th minute struck the crossbar, Savinho reacted quickest to bury the rebound and make it 5-1.
Juventus salvaged a late consolation through Dusan Vlahovic, who netted on an 84th-minute breakaway for his second goal in as many games. But the result was already well out of reach for the Serie A side.
City’s emphatic win saw them finish the group stage as the only team with a perfect record—three wins from three matches—and with a tournament-high 13 goals. The result also marked City’s first outright victory over Juventus since 1976.
“We played well. I’m happy with the victory,” said Doku after the match. “Now we’re just curious to see who we’re going to play against.”
That question was answered later Thursday when Al Hilal secured second place in Group H with a 2-0 victory over Mexico’s Pachuca. Manchester City will now face the Saudi club on Monday in Orlando.
Juventus, finishing as Group G runners-up with six points, head to Miami Gardens, Florida, where they will take on Group H winners Real Madrid, who defeated RB Salzburg in their final group match.
City’s dominant group stage performance firmly establishes them as frontrunners for the title as they chase their first Club World Cup crown.
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