Manchester City 2–0 Wydad AC Player Ratings: Phil Foden Rated 8.5 as Premier League Giants Open Club World Cup Campaign on Higher Note

Manchester City faced off against Wydad AC in the first round of the Group G fixtures of the FIFA Club World Cup at the Lincoln Financial Field, where the Premier League side emerged victorious after a sheer display of dominance.

Man City got the ball rolling, and from the very first minute, they kept knocking on the doors of Wydad. In the second minute, Doku received a ball on the left flank, which he further played to the right. After some touches, Savinho crossed the ball inside the six-yard box. Though the attempt was blocked by the keeper, the ball went straight to Phil Foden, who opened the accounts for Man City comfortably. Later on, Wydad tried to break in multiple instances. They initiated some counterattacks from the left flank with the services of Lorch. However, none of the attempts found the back of the net as they lacked finishing. Somewhere in the line, it felt like the scoring boots of Wydad were missing. Later, Doku doubled the delight for City as he cleverly sneaked into the second post and took a cunning shot which gave his team an additional boost ahead of the break.

In the second half, both teams had a fair share of the game. The Premier League club, however, had control of the game and made occasional attacks. This time, the Wydad defense looked relatively much better. The keeper, along with the defenders, was able to stop all the attempts made by City. Later, the game was dominated in the midfield with neither side passing the ball around, and at full time the score stood at 2-0.

Here are the Manchester City vs Wydad AC Player Ratings:

Manchester City Player Ratings vs Wydad AC

Goalkeeper

Ederson - 6.5/10

Had pretty much nothing to do for the vast majority of the first half. Even though the opponents tried to attack in quick succession, none of them really challenged the keeper. Ederson was put to the test just ahead of the first half as Mailula got a brilliant opportunity to score. The keeper acted quickly, put forward his body, and blocked the attempt.

Defenders

Rico Lewis - 6/10

Was a bit sloppy in the first half. Struggled to shadow Lorch and keep him quiet in the match. Was easily dribbled past and was only saved because the opponents lacked finishing. Was given the red card, which, to an extent, felt unfair.

Vitor Reis - 6.5/10

Was seen more in the DMF position rather than a CB role. Won almost all the duels, had a good share of clearances, blocks, and overall had a pretty good day at the office.

Nathan Ake- 7/10

Stood tall and rose high in the second post during the set-pieces and nodded the ball towards the goal in multiple instances. Made his presence felt both in the attack and the defense. Was like a wall and stood as a barrier to resist the opponents from scoring.

Nico O'Reilly - 7/10

Had a great day too. Was having a significant role in paralysing the entire right wing of Wydad. Nico O'Reilly was the key reason why Amrabat was kept silent for the entire match.

Midfielders

Tijjani Reijnders - 7/10

Had a solid presence in the midfield and had a great role in resisting the opponents from entering his half. Tijjani Reijnders made some breaks from the midfield and provided some key passes to the attack.

Savinho - 7/10

Received the ball that came from the left, made a small run, and made a cross inside the box, even though the keeper deflected, Foden converted it. Was lively in the winning exchanges and made contributions in most of City's attacking moves.

Phil Foden - 8.5/10

Had a good positioning in the attacking third. Was the 'fox in the box' as he was able to control and connect the deflected ball from the opponent goalkeeper, marking the opener. Assisted on the second goal in the form of a corner in the final minutes of the first half.

Rayan Cherki - 6/10

The debutant created some trouble for the opponents inside the box with his tricky feet. Apart from that, Rayan Cherki did not have many chances as he would require time to adapt to the team and provide his best performance.

Jeremy Doku - 7.5/10

Bypassed multiple defenders and infiltrated into the box from the flanks. Ran in behind and provided the ball inside the box, which laid the foundation for City breaking the deadlock. Doubled the lead for his team as he sneaked into the second post to cleverly take a touch and double the delight for City.

Forward

Omar Marmoush - 6.8/10

Attempted some long ranger shots in the initial minutes, which unfortunately missed the goal by millimeters. Omar Marmoush showed some good strength to outmuscle his markers and move forward inside the box.

Substitutes

Oscar Bobb - 6/10

Rodri - 7/10

Erling Haaland - 6.5/10

Ilkay Gundagon - 6/10

Matheus Nunes - NA

Manager

Pep Guardiola - 7/10

Had a good day. Was able to get the expected victory after properly deploying his tactics. Was unfortunate about the red card. Pep Guardiola might need to focus a bit more on the defense and keep the momentum going.

Wydad AC Player Ratings vs Manchester City

Goalkeeper

El Mehdi Benabid - 5/10

Was put to test from the first whistle. Was unable to hold the ball, which led to the opponents scoring the opener. Had his reflexes and held hands to a shot made by Foden later in the first half. He was decent in the second half.

Defenders

Fahd Moufi - 6/10

Was active on the entire right flank. Though minimal, the player had a decent contribution in both the defense. However, the player was terrible in passing, as only around half of the passes he made found his teammates

Abdelmounaim Boutouil - 6/10

Was average in the defence. Provided some long balls and made a couple of clearances and blocks. Was a bit casual in the corner taken by City and left Doku unmarked, which led to them scoring their second. Could have done better.

Bart Meijers - 6/10

Was decent in the game. In some instances, he gave away space in the back, which turned costly. Had a rather better performance in the second half. Was subbed off in the 75th minute.

Guilherme Ferreira - 5.8/10

The player had almost no impact throughout the game. Was seen for most of the time on the right flank. But Doku was a big problem for the player, and Ferreira was unable to stop the winger.

Mohamed Moufid - 6.8/10

Was probably the only positive in the Wydad defence. Had his share in the attack and defense. Linked up with Lorch to make constant attacks from the right.

Midfielders

Thembinkosi Lorch - 7/10

The left-mid was seen venturing deep into the attacking third to provide some crosses inside the box. Made a mockery out of the City right back as the player was seen easily getting past the defender to infiltrate into the box. Won almost all the duels he was involved in with the wingback.

El Mehdi Moubarik - 6/10

Had a decent day. Made a couple of interceptions and clearances in the midfield. Apart from these, the player did not have any impact.

Oussama Zemraoui - 6/10

Initiated a quick counter when City was too focused offensively, which, to his disappointment, was not converted by his teammates. Later, the player had minimal contributions and was subbed off for this reason.

Nordin Amrabat - 6/10

Recovered the ball from the midfield and made a long-range attempt, which, for a moment, made the opponents anxious. Provided some great deliveries inside the box. But to his dismay, none of them found the back of the net. However, the player struggled to have a solid presence on the right wing.

Forward

Cassius Mailula - 5.5/10

Had a terrible day. Did not have many chances as his team was relatively defensively focused. However, whenever the player got chances, he did not properly utilize them. Missed a golden opportunity to score the equalizer in the 32nd minute. Was subbed off after the break.

Substitutes

Mohamed Rayhi - 5.5/10

Mickael Malsa - 6/10

Samuel Obeng - 6/10

Ismail Moutaraji - NA

Stephane Aziz Ki - NA

Manager

Amine Benhachem - 6/10

Was not essentially his day. To an extent luck did not favor his side as they were pretty decent in their attacks. Everything looked fine until it came into finishing, and this backfired. The gaffer must focus on the attack and regrouping the defense.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Phil Foden