Africa-Press – South-Africa. Julian Alvarez scored the fastest goal in a Club World Cup final and a brace as Manchester City thrashed Brazilian side Fluminense 4-0 on Friday to cap a remarkable year by capturing their fifth trophy of 2023.
Pep Guardiola’s team, who were missing injured striker Erling Haaland at the global tournament, had already captured the FA Cup, Premier League, Champions League and Uefa Super Cup this year.
The Spaniard hinted that his time at the club might be coming to an end when he said “the job was done” and “there was nothing else to win” after eight years at the helm.
“I have the feeling we’ve closed a chapter. We’ve already won all the titles,” Guardiola said. “There’s nothing left to win. I have the feeling the job is done, is over.”
Guardiola, who arrived at City in 2016, claimed his 16th title with the club. He added he wanted to write a new chapter with the team where he has 18 months left on his contract.
“Now it’s Christmas time, buy another book and start to write it again. The last eight years it’s over,” he said.
“When I close the chapter it’s for eight years of incredible work behind the scenes. Today we celebrate on the plane, tomorrow rest.
“The players out there are still hungry and motivated. It’s a beautiful, beautiful day.”
Captain Kyle Walker added: “To win these five trophies — for me, the five biggest prizes available to us — is incredible.
“I am so proud to have been a part of this and I can honestly say it’s an honour to play alongside these players; I couldn’t ask for better team mates.
“It’s really, really hard to win consistently, so to be sat here today having won the [five titles] is really special and a huge achievement.”
Alvarez had the travelling City fans cheering 40 seconds after kickoff. Keeper Fabio did well to push Nathan Ake’s long shot off the post but Alvarez was quick to the rebound, stooping to his hands and knees to chest it home.
Nino scored an own goal in the 27th minute, deflecting a shot from Phil Foden sideways into the net.
Foden put the game away in the 72nd minute when he slid to poke in a hard cross across the box from Alvarez.
“It was an unbelievable match,” Foden told Fifa.com. “The lads showed not only quality, showed heart and determination. I’m delighted with the outcome.
“This is so important for the club,” he added. “I’m delighted. It is huge for the club.”
Alvarez completed his brace in the 88th with a strike from just inside the box, prompting delighted City fans to break into Blue Moon.
The victory made Guardiola the first manager to guide three different clubs to Club World Cup titles, winning with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011, then Bayern Munich in 2013.
Guardiola stressed to his players this week about the importance of “closing the circle” on the team’s trophies, and achieving a “once-in-a-lifetime” goal.
Message received. City never allowed Fluminense, who play the quintessential Brazilian short-passing possession style, to find their stride.
“Fair play to them, I love the way they play with short passes, they didn’t make it easy for us,” Foden said.
The Brazilians’ best chance would have been a penalty that referee Szymon Marciniak initially awarded after Ederson brought down Paulo Henrique Ganso. But technology showed he was offside.
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