Manchester City secured their spot in the knockout stage of the Club World Cup following a decisive 5-2 victory over Juventus in Orlando. Heading into the match, City trailed the Italian side in their group, but the win allowed them to leapfrog Juventus and set their course for the finals.
Pep Guardiola and his team were left uncertain about their next opponent as they exited the stadium, with Group H matches still to be played hours later. Eventually, Real Madrid claimed the expected victory to top their group, ensuring they would face Juventus in the last-16 match-up.
As both teams prepare for this pivotal matchup, fans are eager to see how Al Hilal will approach the game, especially after their recent victory. It will be interesting to see if City can capitalize on their experience or if Al Hilal will bring their A-game to the pitch. With Cancelo’s history with Manchester City, it adds another layer to the storyline, making it a must-watch for football enthusiasts.
Should Manchester City advance, they will face either Inter or Fluminense in the quarter-finals, also in Orlando, on Friday, July 5, at 3 PM local time (8 PM UK time). City previously triumphed over Fluminense in the Club World Cup final back when the competition adhered to its old format, while they also secured a victory against Inter in the 2023 Champions League final.
If Manchester City reaches the semi-finals, that match will be held in New Jersey on Tuesday, July 8, at 3 PM local time (8 PM UK time). Possible opponents at this stage include Palmeiras, Botafogo, Benfica, and Chelsea, while heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are positioned on the other side of the draw.
The tournament concludes with the final on Sunday, July 13, once again in New Jersey, starting at 3 PM local time (8 PM UK time). City entered the tournament with aspirations of lifting the trophy, and their impressive win over Juventus positions them as strong contenders heading into the knockout rounds.
“12 years ago, nobody would have expected City to be in the Club World Cup,” remarked manager Guardiola. “We were fighting in the mid-table; now we’re facing elite teams. It’s an honor.
“We want to approach every game with this same intensity. If we play with that rhythm, whether we win or lose, that’s fine; you can’t win everything. However, we must continue to refine ourselves.
“We aim to win, but the key is to maintain the connection we established last season.”
