Erling Haaland scored his 300th top-level career goal to help Manchester City easily beat Juventus in the heat of Orlando to top Group G at the Club World Cup.
Norway striker Haaland scuffed home a finish in the second half as the Premier League side withstood the 32C temperatures, as well as a short spell of showers, to dismantle Juve and avoid being in the same side of the draw as Champions League winners Paris St-Germain and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
However, manager Pep Guardiola may still come up against his former player Xabi Alonso in the next round, should Real Madrid lose against Salzburg in Group H later on (kick-off 02:00 BST).
City have made fast starts in their opening two games and scored again inside the first 10 minutes as Rayan Ait-Nouri’s delightfully disguised pass was collected by Jeremy Doku, who skipped inside and coolly slotted home into the bottom corner.
But City were punished immediately after opening the scoring as goalkeeper Ederson’s loose pass was intercepted by Teun Koopmeiners, who ran through to drill a shot home.
If the goal City conceded in a frantic encounter was poor, the one Juve let in at the other end was comical.
With no opposition player anywhere near Pierre Kalulu, the France international somehow managed to side-foot Matheus Nunes’ low cross into his own net.
Haaland came off the bench at half-time and did his best to miss from Nunes’ pass, knocking the ball in off his standing foot, before Phil Foden swept home from close range and Savinho smashed in a sensational fifth.
Striker Dusan Vlahovic converted a Juve consolation after missing opportunities earlier in the game, but it was too little too late as City end the group stage with a flawless record.
What was the main talking point?
City put five past a European heavyweight to lay down a marker in the tournament and will be buoyed by a first start since September for midfielder Rodri, who had sustained a serious knee injury against Arsenal.
The Spaniard has since made two appearances as a substitute but this was his first game from the opening whistle since claiming the Ballon d’Or award in October.
It was a landmark occasion for 24-year-old Haaland too, as his goal made it 258 for club and 42 for his country during a prolific career to date.
Which players stood out?
Rodri showcased what City missed last season with an assured 65 minutes, as the midfield metronome racked up a total of 71 passes in the game.
Nunes has been deployed as a makeshift right-back and contributed to two goals, while Ait-Nouri was excellent on his debut in the previous game against Al Ain and showed once more what he will add with his tireless runs up and down the pitch.
Signed for his attacking capabilities, the Algerian provided his first assist for Doku’s opening goal.
What next?
City know they will stay in Orlando for Monday’s last-16 tie, but must wait to find out whether they face Real, Al-Hilal or Salzburg next.
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