epa12183954 Jeremy Doku of Manchester City (C) celebrates after scoring the 2-0 goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 soccer match between Manchester City and Wydad AC in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, 18 June 2025. EPA/WILL OLIVER
by [Staff Reporter](javascript:void(0))
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025. 20:12
Defending champions Manchester City started their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a victory over Wydad AC at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
The Moroccan side troubled their English opposition in the first half but could not convert their chances, which proved to be the difference.
City started with a bang, opening the scoring in the second minute to set a new record for fastest goal in the history of the competition. Savinho’s cross was parried by Wydad goalkeeper El Mehdi Benabid into Phil Foden’s path, who tucked the ball neatly into the back of the net.
In the 9th minute, City came close to doubling their lead as Omar Marmoush’s shot from the edge of the box snuck narrowly wide of the left post.
Wydad’s first opportunity of the match came in the 15th minute, as Thembinkosi Lorch intercepted Rayan Cherki’s pass in the midfield and tried to catch Ederson off his line from inside his own half. Lorch’s effort was on target, but Ederson was able to backpedal and keep it out.
Nathan Aké squandered a chance in the 19th minute, as he connected with Marmoush’s corner, but could not keep his effort on target.
In the 21st min, Lorch produced some magic, juggling the ball over the top of two city defenders before laying the ball off for fellow South African Cassius Mailula, however, Oussama Zemraoui took the ball meant for his teammate and sent his effort wide of goal.
El Mehdi El Moubarik came to Wydad’s rescue in the 29th minute to deny City’s counter-attack, diving to intercept Marmoush’s pass meant for Doku, who would have been through on goal.
Lorch was involved again in the 31st minute, where he got past Vitor Reis twice before losing his footing at the vital moment. However, Lorch managed to get the ball to Mailula whose shot was saved by Ederson.
In 38th min, Benabid atoned for his earlier mistake as he denied Foden a second goal from point black range.
City doubled their lead in the 42nd minute from a corner, as Doku caught Abdelmounaim Boutouil ball watching at the back post and slipped in front of him to score from Foden’s cross.
Doku should have bagged his second of the game in the 54th minute, as he stole the ball from Guilherme Ferreira to find himself one-on-one with the keeper, but was denied.
In the 74th minute, substitute Oscar Bobb made an unchallenged run into the area and passed to fellow substitute Erling Haaland, whose effort sailed over the crossbar.
Haaland had another chance in the 93rd minute, as Rodri stole the ball in midfield before sending on the striker on his way, but Haaland could not beat the rushing Benabid.
The game did not end City’s way however, as Rico Lewis was shown a red card in the 88th minute for a challenge which saw him get the ball but continue, where his boot made contact with Samuel Obeng’s face.
Wydad will look to bounce back when they face Juventus at the Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.
City will hope to keep their momentum rolling as they come up against Al Ain at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday.
Manchester City (2) 2 (Foden 2’, Doku 42’)
Wydad AC 0
Man City: Ederson, R. Lewis, V. Reis, N. Aké, N. O’Reilly, T. Reijnders, Savinho (M. Nunes 92’), P. Foden (Rodri 60’), R. Cherki (E. Haaland 60’), J. Doku (O. Bobb 60’), O. Marmoush (I. Gündoğan 69’)
Wydad: E. M. Benabid, M. Moufid, B. Meijers (Ismail Moutaraji 75’), A. Boutouil, G. Ferreira, F. Moufi, T. Lorch (S. Aziz Ki 84’), E. M. El Moubarik, O. Zemraoui (M. Malsa 62’), N. Amrabat (S. Obeng 62’), C. Mailula (M. Rayhi 46’)
By Nic Gleeson