"Best team in the land", "Guardiola is the GOAT" - Twitter erupts as Manchester City win the Club World Cup after thrashing Fluminense
Manchester City put the seal on a remarkable year for the club and Pep Guardiola as they beat Fluminense 4-0 to win the FIFA Club World Cup tonight (December 22).
It took Guardiola's men just 50 seconds to grab the opener, and it came through Julian Alvarez. Nathan Ake's long-range shot hit the upright, but the Argentine attacker was on hand to chest the ball into the back of the net.
Fluminense started to grow into the game after a dominant early period for Manchester City. They thought they'd won a penalty in the 19th minute when Brazilian attacker Paulo Henrique Ganso was brought down in the box by City goalkeeper Ederson.
Polish referee Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot, but VAR intervened, deeming Ganso to have been in an offside position when receiving the ball. It was a warning for Guardiola's side to be wary of the Brazilian outfit on the counter.
Manchester City took a 2-0 lead in the 28th-minute courtesy of an own goal from Nino. Phil Foden's effort deflected in off the Brazilian defender, putting the reigning European champions in a comfortable position.
Fluminense still posed a threat and went close in the 41st minute through Keno's header. Ederson did well to deny his fellow countryman from getting Fernando Diniz's side back into the game.
Manchester City nearly took a 3-0 lead two minutes into the second half. Bernardo Silva's header was well-saved by Brazilian goalkeeper Fabio after he'd initially stopped a long-range shot.
Guardiola's men did grab a third in the 70th minute and the brilliant Foden took his tally for the season to eight goals across competitions. The England international was found by Alvarez and he sealed a victory for his side.
However, the victory was marred by an injury that Rodri appeared to pick up. The Spaniard had to be replaced by Josko Gvardiol in the 75th minute.
Alvarez scored perhaps the best goal of the night in the 88th minute. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner fired the ball past Fabio to bag a brace on the night.
One fan reacted to Manchester City being crowned champions of the world by saying:
"Best team in the land and all the world."
Another fan hailed City's boss:
"Officially the best Club side in World football. Pep Guardiola is the GOAT, whether you like it or not."
Here's how fans on X (formerly Twitter) reacted to City's win against Fluminense:
Rio Ferdinand hailed Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola for transcending the game
Guardiola has added yet another trophy to his glistening trophy cabinet by guiding Manchester City to FIFA Club World Cup glory. It's the fifth trophy the Cityzens have won this year, completing a memorable year.
The Spanish coach oversaw City's incredible continental treble triumph last season, taking his side to their first-ever UEFA Champions League. He is regarded by many as the greatest tactician in history.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand was full of praise for Guardiola ahead of City's Champions League final win over Inter Milan in June. He said (via TNT Sports):
"What Pep’s doing, the style of football and how he’s transcended the game and changes the game as and when it suits him. You can’t do anything but respect greatness like that."
Guardiola became the first coach in history to win two European Trebles in the men's game. He previously guided Barcelona to a continental treble in the 2008-09 campaign.
It's not the continued dominance of trophy success that the former Bayern Munich boss has achieved during his career that is remarkable. It's the way his City side dominates the opposition with their possession-based style that has wreaked havoc in Europe and now on the world stage.