Manchester City didn’t just arrive at the Club World Cup—they announced themselves with a six-goal statement against Al Ain that was as clinical as it was commanding. But while fans in Atlanta cheered a masterclass in control, passing, and finishing, Pep Guardiola left the pitch with a furrowed brow and one lingering regret: City didn’t score seven.
Yes, that’s how high the bar is now.
With a reshuffled lineup that looked more like a high-stakes training session than a do-or-die group stage clash, City dismantled Al Ain at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Ilkay Gundogan led the charge with a brace, moving with the kind of precision that made you wonder why the German international doesn’t score more often. Erling Haaland added a penalty, new boy Rayan Cherki opened his account late, and youngsters Claudio Echeverri and Oscar Bobb chipped in with goals that showcased the frightening depth of Guardiola’s squad.
Even with a 6-0 cushion, Guardiola wasn’t popping champagne. “We pushed and pushed to score another,” he admitted post-match.
“We missed one” – Guardiola
That seventh goal could prove crucial—Juventus, sitting equal on points and goal difference in Group G, edge City by a single goal scored. In a tournament where tiebreakers matter, that one missing strike could end up reshaping City’s path to the final.
Thursday’s clash with Juventus now becomes more than just a group decider—it’s a chess move. Top the group, and City face Red Bull Salzburg in the Round of 16. Finish second, and it’s a showdown with Real Madrid, a team that knows exactly how to peak when the stakes are highest.
Guardiola’s approach against Al Ain felt calculated. With Rodri easing back into the squad after his ACL injury—he played just under 30 minutes—City’s coach is clearly playing the long game. “He still struggles a bit in the duels,” Guardiola noted,
“but it’s normal. We miss him a lot. Any team would miss the best player in the world”
That last sentence wasn’t hyperbole. City’s midfield has looked noticeably more fluid with Rodri on the pitch, and his controlled cameo hinted at brighter days ahead for a club trying to put a lackluster domestic season behind them.
Meanwhile, Cherki’s late goal signals more than just depth—it hints at City’s future. The French teenager, signed with the kind of quiet confidence typical of the club’s recent strategy, slotted in like he’d been part of the system for years. Add Bobb and Echeverri to that youth movement, and suddenly, Guardiola has a squad that doesn’t just aim for trophies—they aim for dynasties.
City’s dominance over Al Ain may not have shocked anyone, but the controlled ruthlessness with which they played sent a warning across the tournament. This isn’t a side content with just winning. They want to dominate, and they want to do it with flair, structure, and a squad that looks increasingly like a machine with soul.
Whether that final flourish—Goal No. 7—comes against Juventus or Real Madrid, you get the sense that Guardiola’s team isn’t finished yet. If anything, they’ve only just shifted gears.
