Sports News Special Report
Manchester City 2 - 0 Wydad Casablanca
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AFNEWS reporter
Jun 19, 2025
Phil Foden inspired defending champions Manchester City to victory over Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in their Fifa Club World Cup opener in Philadelphia.
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The Premier League side had seen fellow European heavyweights Paris St-Germain, Bayern Munich and Chelsea all record victories in their first games and made no mistake themselves against the north African side, helped by Foden's return to form with a goal and assist.
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Though there were banks of empty seats visible inside the stadium, City fans arrived at Lincoln Financial Field in their thousands and witnessed a masterclass from the England midfielder.
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Pep Guardiola's men were heavy favourites and made the perfect start as Foden stroked in from 12 yards out inside two minutes, before the 25-year-old's inswinging corner was poked home by
Jeremy Doku three minutes before half-time.
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Ballon d'Or winner Rodri was introduced off the bench for just his second appearance since September following a serious knee injury, while Erling Haaland was given a huge ovation after entering the action and scooped a shot over from a promising position and had a late effort saved by Mehdi Benabid.
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Wydad's most notable name was debutant Nordin Amrabat - who had spells in England with Watford and most recently Hull - and his team-mates had glimmers of hope on the break, but they were unable to breach Ederson's goal.
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But City will be without Rico Lewis for Monday's second game against Al Ain (02:00 BST) after receiving a straight red card late on for catching Samuel Obeng in the face with his boot as both players slid in for a loose ball.
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City boss Guardiola gave debuts to two of his summer signings in Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders.
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French forward Cherki showed some delightful touches in the final third, while Netherlands international Reijnders displayed his athleticism in midfield by getting around the pitch and making some vital interceptions.
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Ex-Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri remained on the bench, with Nico O'Reilly preferred, and the Algerian will have to wait to make his City bow.
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Foden had a difficult campaign last term, saying he had been carrying an ankle injury and struggling mentally, but he looked rejuvenated in the United States.
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The opening goal was well taken, caressing a finish into the far corner for his first goal for club and country in 20 games - since netting against Chelsea on 25 January - and then providing the cross as Doku bundled home from close range.
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Brazilian teenager Vitor Reis, signed from Palmeiras in January, was making just his fourth City appearance and was thankful to keeper Ederson for thwarting Wydad's Cassius Mailula after the 19-year-old defender misjudged a long ball over the top.
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Lewis' dismissal, which was confirmed by the video assistant referee (VAR) despite the full-back's protests, also opens up an opportunity in the next game for Matheus Nunes or Manuel Akanji to come in.
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Manchester City head to Atlanta for their second group game, coming up against United Arab Emirates side Al Ain on Monday (02:00 BST), while Wydad Casablanca face Juventus next on Sunday (17:00 BST) Philadelphia.
