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Manchester City's First Goal In FIFA Club World Cup History Is An Own Goal
IMAGO/Sven Simon

Manchester City's First Goal In FIFA Club World Cup History Is An Own Goal

Originally posted on FanNation Futbol
By Robert Summerscales  |  Last updated 12/19/23

Manchester City's first goal in the history of the FIFA Club World Cup was an own goal scored by Urawa Red Diamonds defender Marius Hoibraten.

It arrived 46 minutes into City's semi-final against the champions of Asia on Tuesday at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

City had dominated the game in terms of possession and forced Shusaku Nishikawa into four saves before the Urawa keeper was finally beaten by one of his teammates.

Matheus Nunes played in a low cross from the right and a sliding Hoibraten inadvertently deflected the ball inside the near post.

Nishikawa had earlier kept out efforts from Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and two from Nunes.

The winner of Tuesday's game between City and Urawa will face South American champions Fluminense in the final on Friday.

Brazil's Fluminense beat Al Ahly of Egypt 2-0 in their semi-final on Monday.

City had never previously competed at a Club World Cup before Tuesday.

However, the Manchester club will also be involved in the 2025 edition of the tournament, which will feature 32 teams instead of seven.

City will be hoping to go to the expanded 2025 tournament as reigning champions.

Indeed, Pep Guardiola's men are heavy favorites to go all the way in Saudi Arabia this week.

The Club World Cup has been won by a team representing Europe in each of the past 10 editions.

But it has only ever been won by three clubs from England - Manchester United (2008), Liverpool (2019) and Chelsea (2021).

This article first appeared on FanNation Futbol and was syndicated with permission.

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