Manchester City vs Wydad AC: Club World Cup 2025 Full Match Analysis
In a high-voltage encounter at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, European giants Manchester City locked horns with African champions Wydad Casablanca (Wydad AC). As expected, Pep Guardiola’s side showcased their tactical brilliance and individual quality, taking a commanding 2-0 lead by halftime.
This match not only highlighted City’s depth and dominance but also reflected the growing competitive spirit of African clubs on the global stage.
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⚽ First Half: Dominance Defined
From the opening whistle, Manchester City controlled the pace of the game. Their possession-based style suffocated Wydad’s build-up attempts and allowed City to dictate every aspect of the match.
By the 10th minute, City had already registered 4 shots, while Wydad struggled to complete passes beyond midfield.
š„ 28' - Goal by JuliĆ”n Ćlvarez
The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Kevin De Bruyne delivered a sublime through-ball to JuliĆ”n Ćlvarez, who slotted it past the goalkeeper with clinical precision. It was a textbook Guardiola goal—patience, build-up, and lethal execution.
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⚡ 45' - Magic from Jeremy Doku
Just before halftime, the electrifying Jeremy Doku added to City’s tally with a solo effort that lit up the stadium. Picking up the ball on the left wing, he dribbled past two defenders and curled a low shot into the bottom corner. The goal was not just about pace—it was pure composure and technique.
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š Halftime Stats
Statistic Man City Wydad AC
Possession 71% 29%
Shots (On Target) 10 (5) 3 (1)
Corners 6 2
Pass Accuracy 91% 76%
Fouls 3 5
Manchester City completely dominated every aspect of the first half, from passes completed to territorial control.
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š”️ Wydad AC: A Defensive Struggle
Wydad entered the match knowing they would need to defend deep and counter-attack. However, City’s relentless pressing and intelligent midfield rotations neutralized any transition opportunities.
Goalkeeper Yassine El Khadi made a few crucial saves to keep the score respectable, but the lack of midfield support and forward movement left Wydad isolated and ineffective.
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š§ Tactical Analysis
š· Manchester City’s Setup
Pep Guardiola opted for a 3-2-4-1 formation:
Back Three: Walker, Dias, Gvardiol
Midfield Pivot: Rodri and De Bruyne
Attacking Midfield: Foden, Silva, Doku, Grealish
Striker: Ćlvarez
The tactical flexibility allowed City to overload the flanks while still maintaining defensive stability in transition.
š“ Wydad’s Response
Wydad lined up in a compact 4-5-1, aiming to cut off central passing lanes. While the idea was sound in theory, the execution faltered. City’s fluid positioning and one-touch passes pulled Wydad’s lines out of shape repeatedly.
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š¬ Reactions After the Match
š£️ Pep Guardiola (Manchester City Manager)
> “We came prepared. Wydad is a strong team, very organized, but we were sharp today. Doku and Ćlvarez gave us what we needed—goals and energy. I’m happy with how we controlled the game.”
š£️ Adil Ramzi (Wydad AC Manager)
> “City is one of the best teams in the world. We gave it our best, but the quality difference is clear. Our young players will take valuable lessons from this experience.”
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š A Clash of Continents
This match wasn't just about goals—it was a symbolic meeting between European excellence and African passion. Wydad AC, despite being outplayed, displayed heart and discipline. The increasing presence of African clubs in global tournaments signals a shift in football dynamics.
While City had the finesse, Wydad had the grit. And that matters in the long run.
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š® What This Means Going Forward
✅ For Manchester City:
One step closer to lifting their first Club World Cup title.
Confidence boost for players like Doku and Ćlvarez.
Reinforcement of Guardiola’s tactical superiority.
✅ For Wydad AC:
Valuable international exposure.
Identification of key areas to improve: midfield buildup and pressing.
Proof that African clubs belong on the world stage.
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š Key Players
Player Performance Summary
Jeremy Doku 1 Goal, 3 dribbles, 92% pass accuracy
JuliĆ”n Ćlvarez 1 Goal, 4 shots, high work rate
Kevin De Bruyne 1 Assist, 5 key passes, controlled tempo
Yassine El Khadi (WAC) 6 saves, kept the scoreline tight
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š§© Related Links (Add these to your blog post)
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Fixtures & Schedule
Manchester City Latest News
Wydad AC Official Page
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š Conclusion
Manchester City showed exactly why they are regarded as the best club team in the world right now. Wydad AC tried, but the quality gap was too much. Still, this match offered fans a glimpse of world football’s rich diversity and evolving balance of power.
With City through to the final, the question remains: Can anyone stop them?
