Player Ratings: Man City Secures Club World Cup Glory with 4-0 Win against Fluminense

On Friday, Manchester City effortlessly defeated Fluminense in the Club World Cup final, registering a convincing 4-0 win to add yet another trophy to their cabinet before the conclusion of 2023.

The scoring was inaugurated within the first minute by Julian Alvarez, and City's lead was subsequently doubled due to an own goal brought about by a Phil Foden cross, thereby setting up a comfortable journey to half time for City.

Foden managed to get on the scoresheet himself in the second half, however, an injury to Rodri immediately afterwards put a slight damper on the proceedings for Pep Guardiola. Still, the match ended on a positive note with Alvarez bagging one more late in the game to put the finishing touches on a remarkable performance.

City hardly took 40 seconds to grab the lead. A shot from Nathan Ake from distance thundered off the post and fell to Alvarez, who adjusted his body to chest the ball into an unguarded net.

Seventeen minutes in, there was a glimmer of hope for Fluminense when German Cano was brought down in the box by Ederson, initially earning a penalty. However, an offside decision spotted by the referee shortly after, which was confirmed by a quick VAR check, ensured there was no way back for Fluminense.

The risky strategy of Fluminense to play from deep positions, often right from their own goal line, led to numerous instances of apprehension in the first half, with their goalkeeper Fabio opting to dribble his way around the City forwards bearing down on him.

City's lead was doubled in the 27th minute, when Foden, who had ample space in the box, delivered a cross which was deflected into his own net by Nino.

A five-minute period before half time saw some end-to-end action, with Ederson pulling off a brilliant save to deny Jhon Arias, while at the other end, Jack Grealish's shot was turned around the post by Fabio, thereby ensuring the scoreline remained 2-0 at half time.

The opening minutes of the second half saw attempts from Foden and Bernardo Silva thwarted by Fabio, but the match was marked by a moment of concern when Rodri was on the receiving end of a rough tackle, leading to an injury which he nevertheless managed to play with after some treatment on the pitch.

This momentary worry was soon forgotten as Foden found himself on the score sheet, receiving a cross from Alvarez before slotting the ball into an empty net. A subsequent injury to Rodri, however, forced him to be substituted, a major setback for the newly crowned champions.

Despite this, Alvarez managed to score once again with a shot from inside the box, equaling the record for the biggest win in a Club World Cup final.

Player Ratings: Ederson (6/10), Kyle Walker (6/10), John Stones (6/10), Ruben Dias (6/10), Nathan Ake (8/10), Rodri (7/10), Rico Lewis (6/10), Bernardo Silva (7/10), Phil Foden (8/10), Jack Grealish (6/10), Julian Alvarez (9/10). Substitutes: Mateo Kovacic (6/10), Manuel Akanji (6/10), Josko Gvardiol (6/10), Matheus Nunes (N/A), and Oscar Bobb (N/A).

Unused substitutes: Stefan Ortega, Scott Carson, Sergio Gomez, Max Alleyne, Mahamadou Susoho, Kalvin Phillips, Micah Hamilton.

Pep Guardiola had a match to be proud of, earning an 8/10 for setting up his team to be dominant from the onset, resulting in a superior performance from his side.