Manchester City flatten Al Ain and book early passage
Six goals, a clean sheet, and the job done with time to spare. Manchester City tore through Al Ain 6-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, locking in a Round of 16 place in the Club World Cup with one group match still to play. The European champions were in control from the first whistle and never let up.
Ilkay Gundogan set the tone in the eighth minute with a cheeky chip that drifted over Khalid Eissa and into the far corner. Whether he meant the finish or spotted the opening on instinct, it stood as the early breakthrough City were after. Claudio Echeverri doubled the lead around the half-hour, bending a free-kick that clipped the underside of the bar on its way in—his first goal for the club on his first start.
Just before the break, Erling Haaland buried a penalty to make it 3-0, pushing his career tally for club and country to 299. City didn’t ease off in the second half. Gundogan grabbed his second to complete a brace and move to four goals for the tournament, before substitutes Oscar Bobb and Rayan Cherki came on to add late strikes. For Cherki, it was a debut goal in City colors.
Beyond the scoreline, there was control and purpose in every phase. City’s press smothered Al Ain’s buildup, the midfield recycled possession at will, and the front line created chances almost every time they entered the box. When Al Ain did find a rare opening, Stefan Ortega Moreno made a sharp save to deny Nassim Chadli—his one major intervention of the night.
The win does more than confirm progression. It also seals Juventus’ place in the knockouts and turns the final Group G game in Orlando into a straight shootout for top spot. Finishing first typically means a smoother Round of 16 matchup on paper and keeps momentum rolling into the knockouts.
There were side notes too. Echeverri’s first start looked like a statement; he played with confidence on set pieces and didn’t hide off the ball. City also rolled out their KidSuper x PUMA special-edition kit, a bold look that matched the mood of a one-sided night.
Where to watch and the schedule from here
The Club World Cup runs from June 14 to July 13 across host cities in the United States. City’s final Group G game against Juventus is in Orlando, with kick-off details to be confirmed by tournament organizers. The top two from each group advance to the Round of 16, which follows immediately after the group phase in a straight knockout format.
Broadcast rights vary by territory, but matches are being carried by major sports networks and official streaming platforms in most regions, with both English- and Spanish-language options available in key markets. If you’re planning to watch live, check your local TV listings and your usual sports streaming apps on match day—clubs and the tournament’s official channels typically publish broadcast details and exact kick-off times the day before a game.
- Next up: Manchester City vs Juventus, Orlando (Group G decider).
- What’s at stake: First place in Group G and a potentially more favorable Round of 16 path.
- How to watch: Live coverage via regional TV partners and licensed streaming services; confirm listings in your country.
- Tournament window: June 14–July 13, with the Round of 16 starting right after the group stage ends.
For City, the focus now shifts to recovery, travel, and selection. The bench made an impact in Atlanta, which gives Pep Guardiola options for Orlando. With qualification secured, he can balance rhythm and rest while still chasing top spot. As for Al Ain, this defeat ends their hopes of advancing, but they leave Atlanta having forced a couple of bright moments against elite opposition.
Expect a different kind of test against Juventus. The Italians are already through, disciplined without the ball, and happy to lean on set pieces and transitions. City’s fluency in possession will matter, but so will game management. If the group stage taught us anything, it’s that margins at this level tend to shrink as soon as the knockout rounds loom.
