Man City 6 – 0 Al Ain

Ilkay Gundogan scored twice while Manchester City beat Al Ain 6-0 to secure his place in the last 16 of the Club World Cup.

The Premier League team was far too strong for its opponents based in Abu Dhabi under a closed roof at the spectacular Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta.

The result seemed certain from the moment Gundogan, who was linked to a move to Galatasaray, opened the scoring – perhaps fortuitously – launching the goalkeeper after eight minutes.

The teenager Claudio Echeverri marked her first departure in town by adding the second with a free kick and Erling Haaland did 3-0 at the half-time of the penalty.

Gundogan finished a neat gesture after 73 minutes before the replacements Oscar Bobb and Rayan Cherki hit late to make sure that the city and Juventus will progress from group G.

The two parties will meet in Orlando on Thursday to settle the first place, with Real Madrid potentially expected in the first direct elimination round.

City, who made 11 modifications compared to their opening victory on Wydad Casablanca, was quick to take care of, although he was not obvious if Gundogan wanted his chip to be a goal attempt.

The German midfielder beat a challenge and gently launched the ball towards Haaland at the rear post, but no additional touch was necessary when the ball fell into the net.

Despite their clear superiority, City still had embarrassing moments at the rear and one of these Nassim Chadli made it possible to perceive to the goal, but Stefan Ortega touched behind the shot of former international Morocco.

There was a long delay as a scheverri, making its first departure in town, required treatment after a collision.

The Argentinian problem was clearly not too serious because a few moments later, he passed to curl up in the second of the city after Matheus Nunes was transported after 27 minutes.

Haaland could have added another in a few seconds after stolen Park Yong-Woo and rounding Khalid Eisa, but he pulled through the goal from a tight angle.

While the first Mexican waves of the evening were growing, Josko Gvardiol got closer when he went against the post.

Haaland dragged another wide effort after being played by Bernardo Silva, but he finally obtained his goal after City received a penalty in the first half.

The referee initially ignored City’s claims after Manuel Akanji was struggled on the ground by Ramy Rabia, but the decision was modified after a Var exam.

Haaland, who sparked criticism after inflicting a penalty on Omar Marmoush – who later missed – during the FA Cup final, calmly sent the goalkeeper in the wrong direction.

Nunes approached to add to the score after an intelligent film and a lap, but its volley just stolen.

Phil Foden, who entered the half-time, chose Haaland with a low cross of the left, but Eisa refused him with a double stop.

The fourth goal occurred when Gundogan took a pass from Silva and brilliantly came from EISA.

City struck their advantage at home in the last minutes while Bobb fired a blow inside the post and the new signature Cherki struck with a low effort from the edge of the area.

Gundogan happy to stay in Man City

Gundogan insists that he is happy to stay in Man City and that he remains “several years” at the highest level.

Speaking after his double against Al Ain, Gundogan did not categorically reject the suggestions he could leave, but clearly indicated his conviction that he considers that he could still play an important role for the side of Pep Guardiola.

When he was asked if he thought he would stay, Gundogan said: “I think yes, yes. I have a one -year contract and I am very happy here. I think everyone knows.

“And I am involved in competition, and I appreciate my football. I always think I have several years in me (to be able) to play at the highest level by taking good care of myself. I think I proved it.

“In addition, last season, I didn’t miss a match, so I’m available. I’m in good shape. I feel really good and I want to play at the highest level longer.”

Pep on Alderri: Fantastic objective and incredible player

Pep Guardiola on the free kick of Echeverri: “Since he arrived and (in) in) the three or four months with us, at the end of the training sessions, he practiced free kicks with the goalkeeper, the wall and alone.

“The others did not practice. He practiced and trained and the work is paying.

“Fantastic objective and incredible player. He could not continue after half-time due to a problem with the ankle, but the free kick was really good.”

Ait Nouri Wows Pep when he started

Ait Nouri made his first appearance for Man City since he joined Wolves and impressed Guardiola. He said, “Wow. He had to defend a rear four, then make a back. He played really, really good, not for the first time.

“It was his first game, but he played in the Premier League for many years.

“He can help us play in this role outside, but then had to play as a midfielder and go to the pockets. It moves very well in the spaces.

“He is intelligent and clear to defend and take the ball. He is so intelligent in the last third, making the right decisions to create more spaces. Really satisfied with the game he played.”