In a quest to “close the little circle,” Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City asserted their dominance in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final against Urawa Red Diamonds, securing a convincing 3-0 victory in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Now, all eyes are on the highly anticipated final clash with Brazilian giants Fluminense.

Guardiola’s ambition is clear: he wants City to make history by becoming the first English club to conquer the quintet of Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup within a remarkable 12-month period. The coach’s words echo his desire to add the only missing piece in City’s trophy cabinet.

Reflecting on the journey, Guardiola acknowledged the challenges, emphasizing the unique nature of the Club World Cup. “It is a pleasure to be here – an honor – and it’s Man City’s first time here,” he stated. “We take it as a privilege, it’s an honor to be here.”

The semi-final against Urawa Red Diamonds presented its own set of challenges. Despite being the favorites, Guardiola emphasized the unpredictable nature of the Japanese side, citing their sharpness, quick transitions, and recent successes against formidable opponents. The victory not only showcased City’s prowess but also highlighted Guardiola’s tactical acumen in navigating tough encounters.

The match unfolded with City’s dominance evident from the start, controlling 67% of possession and making 428 passes in the first half. A stroke of luck, an own goal from Marius Hoibraten, gave City the lead at the end of the first half. Mateo Kovacic, scoring his first goal for the club, and Bernardo Silva, sealing the deal, secured the comprehensive win.

Can Guardiola and Man City Make History?

Looking ahead, Guardiola recognizes the historic significance of the final against Fluminense, as he told the club website. “To be in this final, you have to do incredible things like win the Champions League,” he remarked. “This may be the only time we play this in our lifetime. We are there. Tomorrow we start to watch Fluminense and see them and try to do a good performance.”

If City triumphs in the final, Guardiola will not only secure the Club World Cup for the fourth time, a managerial feat, but Kovacic could also make history by becoming the first player to win it with three different clubs, adding to his successes with Real Madrid and Chelsea.The Premier League’s track record in the Club World Cup adds another layer of intrigue to City’s quest. This marks the sixth time a Premier League club has been involved, with all six reaching the final. City, aiming for a fifth win against Brazilian opposition in the final, has the chance to continue this impressive trend and etch their name in the annals of football history.

As Guardiola and his squad prepare for the showdown, the anticipation builds, and the dream of achieving the unprecedented quintet is within reach for Manchester City. At the time of writing, most major betting sites have Man City as the heavy favorites to walk away with the title come Friday, boasting odds of around -250, depending on the platform.

What is the FIFA Club World Cup?

The FIFA Club World Cup, organized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), stands as a pinnacle of international men’s association football. Its inception in 2000 as the FIFA Club World Championship marked the beginning of a competition that, after a brief hiatus from 2001 to 2004, has evolved into an annual spectacle.

The journey to the title involves a knockout format. The host nation’s national champions engage in a playoff against the Oceania champions, with the winner joining the champions of Asia, Africa, and North America in the quarter-finals. The quarter-final victors progress to face the European and South American champions, entering the fray at the semi-final stage, for a shot at the coveted final.

The pinnacle of the competition sees the triumphant team not only lift the FIFA Club World Cup trophy but also receive the esteemed FIFA World Champions certificate, a testament to their global football supremacy.

Related: Man City Outclass Fluminense In Final As Guardiola Creates FIFA Club World Cup Records

Club World Cup History: Previous Winners

Established in 2000, the competition has seen its fair share of memorable moments, with the victors etching their names in football history. Here’s a glance at the past winners:

• 2000 (Brazil): Corinthians 0-0 (4-3 pens) Vasco da Gama
• 2005 (Japan): Sao Paulo 1-0 Liverpool
• 2006 (Japan): Internacional 1-0 Barcelona
• 2007 (Japan): AC Milan 4-2 Boca Juniors
• 2008 (Japan): Manchester United 1-0 LDU Quito
• 2009 (UAE): Barcelona 2-1 (aet) Estudiantes LP
• 2010 (UAE): Inter Milan 3-0 TP Mazembe
• 2011 (Japan): Barcelona 4-0 Santos
• 2012 (Japan): Corinthians 1-0 Chelsea
• 2013 (Morocco): Bayern Munich 2-0 Raja CA
• 2014 (Morocco): Real Madrid 2-0 San Lorenzo
• 2015 (Japan): Barcelona 3-0 River Plate
• 2016 (Japan): Real Madrid 4-2 (aet) Kashima Antlets
• 2017 (UAE): Real Madrid 1-0 Gremio
• 2018 (UAE): Real Madrid 4-1 Al-Ain
• 2019 (Qatar): Liverpool 1-0 (aet) Flamengo
• 2020 (Qatar): Bayern Munich 1-0 Tigres UANL
• 2021 (UAE): Chelsea 2-1 (aet) Palmeiras
• 2022 (Morocco): Real Madrid 5-3 Al-Hilal

 

Club World Cup History: Most Titles, Appearances

The prestigious Club World Cup has witnessed dominance from certain clubs and numerous appearances from others, creating a dynamic landscape of competition.

Winners:

• Real Madrid — 5
• Barcelona — 3
• Bayern Munich — 2
• Corinthians — 2
• AC Milan — 1
• Chelsea — 1
• Internacional — 1
• Inter Milan — 1
• Liverpool — 1
• Manchester United — 1
• Sao Paulo — 1

Appearances:

• Auckland City — 11
• Al-Ahly — 9
• Real Madrid — 6
• Monterrey — 5
• Barcelona — 4
• Pachuca — 4
• Al-Hilal — 3
• Club America — 3
• Esperance de Tunis — 3
• TP Mazembe — 3
• Urawa Red Diamonds — 3
• And many more…