With Erling Haaland still sidelined, Manchester City turned elsewhere for help in a comfortable win over Urawa Reds which booked their place in the Club World Cup final. Forgotten man Matheus Nunes ran the show, while midfield stalwart Bernardo Silva also starred as City cruised to a 3-0 win.
Nunes played a key role from the first minute. Handed free roam in midfield, the Portuguese international showed why he can be a fit for this side. He enjoyed the best chance of the opening half, cutting inside his man before seeing an effort well-denied by Shusaku Nishikawa.
City's opportunities were otherwise limited, with Pep Guardiola's side forced to settle for a series of long shots and speculative efforts. A stroke of luck gave them the opener. Nunes ran into the right channel, before cutting a ball back towards the six-yard-box — which Marius Hoibraten turned into his own net.
Guardiola's side doubled their advantage just after the break. Mateo Kovacic grabbed the goal, meeting an incisive Kyle Walker through ball and finishing for a 2-0 lead. Silva turned home the decisive third, his deflected shot trickling into the corner.
This contest is perhaps more nuisance than opportunity for the Cityzens, who are surely more concerned about their worrying domestic form. Still, on Friday they will play for a trophy - and that counts for something.
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