On Tuesday, Manchester City defeated Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan 3-0 to cruise into the Club World Cup final.
The Champions League winners needed an own goal to start their campaign in Saudi Arabia because they were missing Erling Haaland, but goals from Mateo Kovavic and Bernardo Silva in the second half allowed them to easily win.
After adding the European Super Cup to their treble from the previous season, City will now play Fluminense of Brazil in Friday’s final in Jeddah for the chance to win a fifth trophy of the year.
The only surprise was that Urawa’s lackluster performance against City’s formidable lineup kept the score tied until first-half stoppage time.
Despite the fact that City was without a recognized center forward while Haaland was sidelined due to a foot injury, goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa had a busy evening and the Reds defense saw little break.
After eight minutes, Rodri had City’s first chance at goal, but he missed, and then Silva shot over and Rodri’s effort was deflected past the post.
On the half-hour mark, Nishikawa did a good job of taking the ball away from Matheus Nunes and denied both the Portugal international and Phil Foden from a distance.
Just before the half, City finally made the breakthrough their play deserved, though they did gain from a fortunate break.
After breaking down the right and passing to Silva, Nunes drove the ball low towards goal, only for Norwegian defender Marius Hoibraten to turn it into his own net.
After the interval, City tightened their hold on the lead.
After fifty-two minutes, Kyle Walker found space for Croatian midfielder Kovacic, who lifted the ball over Nishikawa for his second goal.
A few moments later, Nunes had another chance to score but misdirected a cross from Jack Grealish.
Just before the hour mark, Silva drove in the rebound after Nishikawa turned aside another attempt by Nunes, thanks to a deflection.
With an eye toward the championship, Guardiola started implementing adjustments in the latter stages.
Nishikawa denied Julian Alvarez, one of the replacements, at close range, and Grealish wasted another opportunity by holding back his shot.
Urawa had two late opportunities as City eased up, but Ederson saved a bad backpass from Shoya Nakajima, and Bryan Linssen was cleared by John Stones.
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