In a scorching Orlando night, Manchester City delivered a masterclass, dismantling Juventus 5-2 to claim the top spot in Group G at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The June 26 clash at Camping World Stadium was a spectacle of attacking flair, with City’s new £31m signing, Rayan Ait-Nouri, emerging as the star of the show. The 24-year-old Algerian left-back, recently acquired from Wolves, sent fans into a frenzy with a performance that had social media buzzing, some even dubbing him the “best footballer in the world.” With this victory, City secured a favorable last-16 matchup against Al-Hilal, avoiding heavyweights like Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
The match kicked off with City asserting their dominance early. Just nine minutes in, Ait-Nouri showcased his attacking prowess with a “delightfully disguised pass” to Jeremy Doku, who danced past defenders and slotted the ball into the bottom corner. The Etihad faithful erupted, and teammate Doku later praised Ait-Nouri’s versatility, saying, “Honestly, he is a top player, he is so fast and he is so quick. He can play on the inside, outside. A joy to play with him.” However, City’s early joy was briefly disrupted when goalkeeper Ederson’s errant pass gifted Juventus’ Teun Koopmeiners a chance to equalize, drilling a shot past the Brazilian to make it 1-1.
Undeterred, City regained control in the second half. Matheus Nunes, deployed as a makeshift right-back, restored the lead in the 52nd minute with a clinical finish, his second goal contribution of the tournament. Erling Haaland, marking his 300th career goal, bullied his way through Juventus’ defense to make it 3-1, showcasing why he’s a nightmare for any backline. Savinho added a fourth in the 69th minute, and despite a late reply from Juventus’ Dusan Vlahović, Rayan Cherki sealed the 5-2 rout with a composed finish. The scoreline reflected City’s relentless attacking intent, even in 32°C heat and a brief spell of showers.
Ait-Nouri’s performance was the talk of the night. Fresh off an impressive debut against Al Ain, where he recorded 92 touches and seven in the opposition’s box, the Algerian continued to dazzle. His “relentless zigzag bursts” and “razor-sharp dribbling” tormented Juventus’ defense, as he seamlessly blended defensive solidity with attacking flair. Pep Guardiola, who had previously gushed, “Wow. He had to defend a back four, then make a back five. He played really, really good,” must have been thrilled with Ait-Nouri’s first assist for City. The left-back’s ability to drive forward, create overloads, and deliver pinpoint crosses has already made him a fan favorite, with one supporter on social media proclaiming, “Wolves’ pants have well and truly been pulled down.”
Ait-Nouri, reflecting on his integration into the squad, credited Guardiola’s guidance: “He told me to play my game without pressure. Drive with the ball, cross also in the box.” His synergy with Haaland promises to be a lethal combination, with the Norwegian striker poised to feast on Ait-Nouri’s early deliveries. The Algerian’s versatility, honed over five seasons at Wolves where he notched 11 goal involvements in the 2024-25 Premier League campaign, fits perfectly into Guardiola’s possession-based system. His former Wolves coach, Edu Rubio, noted, “His technical competency, his ability and skill in tight areas give him the opportunity to fit perfectly into Pep Guardiola’s possession-based play.”
City’s victory sets up a last-16 clash with Al-Hilal on Tuesday, June 30, in Orlando. With both teams level on six points and goal difference entering the match, City’s superior scoring output—bolstered by Ait-Nouri’s dynamism—ensured they topped the group. Juventus, despite the loss, showed flashes of quality through Koopmeiners and Vlahović but couldn’t match City’s intensity. The Italian side now faces a tougher path in the knockout stages.
As City march forward, Ait-Nouri’s rapid rise signals a new era for the club’s left flank. After years of makeshift solutions following Benjamin Mendy’s departure, the Algerian’s arrival has solved a long-standing puzzle. With his pace, dribbling, and defensive nous—evidenced by winning more possession in the final third than any Premier League defender last season—Ait-Nouri is proving to be a bargain at £31m. As he declared, “I am incredibly happy and honored to have joined Manchester City. City are one of the biggest clubs in the world and the chance to play for the club is a dream come true.” For City fans, the dream is just beginning, and Ait-Nouri is at the heart of it.
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