Manchester City made a confident start to their Club World Cup campaign on Wednesday with a 2-0 win over Wydad Casablanca at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Phil Foden opened the scoring inside two minutes, capitalizing on a rebound from Savinho’s cross. Jeremy Doku doubled the lead before halftime, heading home from a Foden corner to secure the result in front of a crowd of 37,446 many supporting City, though Wydad fans made their voices heard.
Despite the win, City’s afternoon was slightly tarnished by the late dismissal of Rico Lewis, who received a straight red card in the 88th minute for a high tackle on substitute Samuel Obeng.
Pep Guardiola used the match to experiment with his lineup, handing debuts to summer signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki. Teen defender Vitor Reis also made just his third appearance for the club. City are looking to use the tournament to bounce back after a disappointing domestic and European campaign.
Wydad, recent winners of the CAF Champions League and third-place finishers in the Moroccan league, put up a spirited fight. Coach Amine Benhachem, only recently appointed, saw his side create several chances. Thembinkosi Lorch nearly caught Ederson off guard with a long-range lob, and Cassius Mailula squandered a good opportunity following a defensive lapse.
Foden, largely sidelined toward the end of last season, looked sharp throughout and played a key role in both goals. Doku missed a golden chance to add a third early in the second half but was later substituted along with Foden and Cherki around the hour mark, as Rodri and Erling Haaland came off the bench.
City’s next test comes against UAE champions Al Ain on Sunday in Atlanta, before concluding Group G with a clash against Juventus. However, they will be without Lewis due to suspension.
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