Manchester City thrashed Juventus 2-5
Sports Desk, Jun 26 (EFE).-
Pep Guardiola’s new Manchester City thrashed Juventus 2-5 Thursday to finish the Club World Cup group stage as deserved leaders, in a match that saw Spaniard Rodri Hernandez return to the starting lineup after his serious injury.
Ten months after tearing a ligament in his right knee, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner looked like a star again from the start.
They did so in one of the most exciting matches of the Club World Cup so far, between two undefeated teams and with the added incentive of leading their group for the round of 16, which ultimately turned into an exhibition and a warning to all.
Juventus’ next rivals, Real Madrid, also won Thursday. Vinicius Jr., who had been quiet in the first two matches, excelled with a goal and an assist as the Spaniards thrashed Salzburg 3-0 in Philadelphia.
Madrid finished the first phase of Group H with seven points (one draw and two wins), without having been able to count on Kylian Mbappe, who is suffering from gastroenteritis but is now training normally.
Al Hilal inflicted Pachuca’s third defeat from three, defeating them 2-0 in Nashville with goals from Salem Al Dawsari and Marcos Leonardo to advance to the round of 16, where they will face Manchester City in Orlando.
Al Hilal’s victory, along with Real Madrid’s victory against Salzburg, allowed the Saudi team led by Italian Simone Inzaghi to advance to the round of 16 as runners-up in Group H. EFE tfc/lds
