Manchester City commenced their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Wydad AC, a Moroccan side, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. However, the win was somewhat marred by a late red card issued to Rico Lewis.
The match started brightly for City, with Phil Foden scoring within the first two minutes. Savinho worked the space well down the right, sending a dangerous ball across the face of Wydad's goal. Goalkeeper Mehdi Benabid spilled the ball, and Foden was perfectly positioned to capitalize, firing home from close range. Foden's early goal was the fastest goal of the tournament thus far.
City continued to dominate possession, with new signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki making their debuts. The duo showed promise, linking up well with the rest of the team. Reijnders, playing at the base of an attacking midfield, demonstrated his ability to pick out passes for forwards making runs into the box. Cherki, though initially taking time to settle, displayed glimpses of his trickery and understanding with Savinho.
Wydad, however, posed a threat on the counter-attack. Just after the half-hour mark, Thembinkosi Lorch beat Vitor Reis to a ball over the City defense, forcing Ederson into a save. Despite Wydad's moments, City extended their lead just before halftime. Foden delivered an inswinging corner, and Jeremy Doku volleyed the ball home, sneaking in front of his marker.
The second half saw City maintain control, with opportunities for Rodri and Erling Haaland, who were returning from injury, to gain valuable minutes. However, neither managed to make a significant impact, looking somewhat rusty in their play.
The match took a turn in the 88th minute when Rico Lewis was shown a straight red card. Lewis and Wydad's Samuel Obeng both slid in for a loose ball, and Lewis's boot made contact with Obeng's face. While there was no intent, the referee deemed the challenge dangerous, resulting in Lewis's dismissal. The decision appeared harsh, and Pep Guardiola was visibly frustrated with the call, arguing that Lewis won the ball and his foot was on the ground.
Despite being down to 10 men in the final minutes, Manchester City secured the 2-0 victory. Phil Foden was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance, which included a goal and an assist. Jeremy Doku also impressed, scoring a goal and showcasing his dazzling skills.
City's debutants, Reijnders and Cherki, showed glimpses of their potential, while the return of Rodri and Haaland from injury was a positive sign. However, Rico Lewis's late red card cast a shadow over the win. City will now face Al Ain in Atlanta on Monday morning, followed by a final group game against Juventus. Lewis will miss the match against Al Ain due to suspension.
