Manchester City breezed into the last 16 of the Club World Cup with a commanding 6-0 win over Al Ain, reinforcing their dominance and setting the stage for a potential blockbuster clash against Real Madrid. Pep Guardiola’s men remain unbeaten in Group G, sharing points with Juventus but trailing on goal difference ahead of their decisive group finale.
Despite not hitting top gear, City controlled proceedings from start to finish. Ilkay Gundogan gave them the lead inside eight minutes with a sublime chip, and teenager Claudio Echeverri doubled the advantage with a stunning free-kick midway through the half.
Haaland, though threatening throughout, was guilty of squandering two big chances, hitting the side netting and failing in a one-on-one. He eventually found the net from the penalty spot after Manuel Akanji was brought down in the box, giving City a 3-0 cushion before the interval.
Al Ain managed a rare attack just before the break, with Chadli testing Ortega after a defensive lapse, but the goalkeeper made an excellent stop to preserve the clean sheet.
In the second half, City looked to build on their lead but initially lacked intensity. That changed as the clock ticked on. Gundogan notched his second with a crisp finish in the 73rd minute. Oscar Bobb then added a fifth, dancing past his marker to slot home, before Rayan Cherki completed the scoring following a clever assist from Haaland.
Despite the emphatic win, City remain second in the group and must defeat Juventus in the final match to top Group G. If they finish second, they will likely face Group H leaders Real Madrid, who play RB Salzburg later that same day.
Should that scenario unfold, it would set up another chapter in a growing rivalry between Guardiola’s City and Los Blancos, having met in the Champions League knockout rounds every season since 2022.