PHILADELPHIA — Manchester City began their Club World Cup campaign with a commanding 2-0 victory over Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca on Wednesday, thanks to first-half goals from Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku.
Playing at Lincoln Financial Field in front of a 37,446-strong crowd—dominated vocally by Wydad’s passionate fans—City struck early through Foden, who pounced in the second minute after Wydad goalkeeper El Mehdi Benabid spilled a cross into his path.
Belgian winger Doku doubled the lead in the 42nd minute, heading home a Foden corner to seal a comfortable result before half-time.
City manager Pep Guardiola fielded an experimental line-up, handing debuts to new signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, while teenage defender Vitor Reis made just his third appearance for the club.
Despite the loss, Wydad showed flashes of threat, with Thembinkosi Lorch nearly scoring from the halfway line and Cassius Mailula missing a good opportunity following a City defensive slip.
The win was slightly marred for City when defender Rico Lewis received a straight red card in the 88th minute for a dangerous studs-up challenge on substitute Samuel Obeng.
City will next face UAE champions Al Ain in Atlanta on Sunday, before rounding off Group G action against Juventus. Rodri and Erling Haaland, who both came off the bench in the second half, are likely to feature more prominently in the next match.
The win provides a strong start for City as they aim to turn the page after a disappointing domestic and Champions League season.
