Summary

  • Club World Cup reaction: Man City win 6-0 against UAE side Al Ain

  • Ilkay Gundogan scores twice while new signing Rayan Cherki gets his first for the club

  • Man City qualify for the last 16, going level on points with Juventus in Group G

  • Meanwhile, there have been criticisms of the tournament because of low crowds and sweltering heat in the United States amongst other issues

  • But Fifa president Gianni Infantino says it's a 'real World Cup' with the 'best teams and best players'

  • There have also been many new rules and innovations introduced at the Club World Cup

  • ⁠Get Involved: WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  1. Get Involved - your thoughts on the Club World Cup so farpublished at 11:08 British Summer Time

    WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    We've had two 6-0s, a 5-0 and a 10-0. I don't know about anybody else, but I don't really enjoy watching such one-sided games. I still hold out hope that the knockouts will be good, but too many of the group-stage games have been too unbalanced and many of these teams clearly do not belong in the same tournament as each other. A better tournament would have a more even skill level, even if it meant fewer teams and fewer matches.

    Adam, Edinburgh

  2. get involved

    Quiz question: Who was top scorer at the 2000 CWC?published at 11:00 British Summer Time

    WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Lorraine McKenna
    BBC Sport Journalist

    That third-place play-off took place during the inaugural Club World Cup, then called the Club World Championship, in Brazil in the year 2000.

    How much do you remember about the tournament? I'm going to test you now.

    And no, it's not a question about the likes of TV star Darren Day and model Caprice being on the front page of The Mirror reacting to Manchester United's controversial participation and withdrawal from the FA Cup.

    Instead, there was a tie for the Golden Shoe award after two players scored three goals each during the tournament.

    One played for Real Madrid and was no stranger to the Premier League, the other was a World Cup-winning striker who featured for Brazilian side Vasco da Gama.

    Send us your answers via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply).

  3. Unbeaten run for Real Madridpublished at 10:54 British Summer Time

    Real Madrid remain unbeaten in Club World Cup games, excluding a penalty shootout defeat in the 2000 third-place play-off by Mexicans Necaxa.

    Real Madrid celebrateImage source, Getty Images
    NecaxaImage source, Getty Images
  4. Bellingham confirms surgery to address shoulder issuepublished at 10:47 British Summer Time

    Jude BellinghamImage source, Getty Images

    Jude Bellingham also confirmed he will undergo surgery to address a long-standing shoulder issue after the tournament.

    He's been managing the injury since 2023 and said: "I've reached the point where the pain isn't so bad, but I was sick of playing with the sling.

    "I'm losing a lot of weight from sweating so much, and I've decided that I'll have surgery after the tournament. I've been waiting for a long time, and my patience is running out, but the physios and doctors have been incredible. I just want to feel free."

  5. 'Everyone's been caning me - it's 1-1 now' - Bellingham rivalry is onpublished at 10:41 British Summer Time

    Real Madrid 3-1 Pachuca

    Jude BellinghamImage source, Getty Images

    We love a bit of sibling rivalry on this page and a day after Jobe Bellingham scored his first goal for Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund at the Club World Cup, older brother Jude inspired Real Madrid with a strike of his own.

    "Everyone was caning me yesterday saying he's better than me so I had to do something today," said 21-year-old Jude.

    It marks the first time the Bellingham brothers have scored in the same competition. It's also the first time two siblings have scored at the same Club World Cup.

    "We're 1-1 now and we'll see for the rest of the tournament," Jude joked to DAZN.

    Jobe BellinghamImage source, Getty Images
  6. Get Involved - your thoughts on the Club World Cup so farpublished at 10:33 British Summer Time

    WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    To those trashing the CWC, I just want to say there is an entire world out there apart from western Europe. The rest of the world is thoroughly enjoying this tournament.

    Mo, Belfast

  7. Club World Cup pitches not great at all - Bellinghampublished at 10:25 British Summer Time

    Real Madrid 3-1 Pachuca

    Another grievance to add to the Club World Cup list: pitches.

    After Real Madrid's 3-1 win yesterday, England midfielder Jude Bellingham spoke to the media and criticised the tournament's pitches and asked organisers to do better.

    Media caption,

    Jude Bellingham: 'It's so important we protect the players'

  8. Bellingham scores as Real Madrid beat Pachucapublished at 10:16 British Summer Time

    Real Madrid 3-1 Pachuca

    Jude BellinghamImage source, Getty Images

    Over to Real Madrid now and Xabi Alonso's side were reduced to 10 men early on in Charlotte, North Carolina when Raul Asencio was sent off after only seven minutes against Pachuca for a foul on former West Brom striker Salomon Rondon.

    Despite being a man down for most of the game, Real ran out 3-1 winners, with Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler and Federico Valverde on target.

    Elias Montiel grabbed a late consolation goal for the Mexican side, who caused the Spanish giants problems and had several chances and a penalty appeal rejected by the video assistant referee.

  9. What were the main talking points?published at 10:08 British Summer Time

    Juventus 4-1 Wydad

    Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport

    FansImage source, Getty Images

    As has been so often the case at this Club World Cup, the main talking point was again the weather in Philadelphia.

    There were temperatures of 31C at kick-off at Lincoln Financial Field and they rose further as the game went on, resulting in 35C heat by full time.

    Prior to the match, local government in Philadelphia issued a press release stating a "Heat Health Emergency" in the city.

    Enzo Maresca's Chelsea are due to take on Tunisian side ES Tunis in Philadelphia on Wednesday (02:00 BST).

    On Saturday, in Cincinnati, Borussia Dortmund's substitutes kept out of the heat during their victory against Mamelodi Sundowns by watching the first half from the dressing room, then sheltered under umbrellas on the bench for the second.

  10. Juventus beat Wydad in Philadelphia heatpublished at 10:01 British Summer Time

    Juventus 4-1 Wydad

    JuventusImage source, Getty Images

    With Manchester City and Juventus gearing up for a table-topper showdown on Thursday, how did the Italian side get on in their game against Moroccan side Wydad on Sunday?

    They won - 4-1.

    Turkey forward Kenan Yildiz scored two - his second a thunderbolt from the edge of the area in the 69th minute - while an early Abdelmounaim Boutouil own goal and a late Dusan Vlahovic penalty made it a comfortable (result wise, now weather wise) day for Juventus in Philadelphia.

    Thembinkosi Lorch scored Wydad's only goal of the game but the enthusiastic flares celebration from fans resulted in the game being interrupted.

    FlaresImage source, Getty Images
  11. Get Involved - your thoughts on the Club World Cup so farpublished at 09:56 British Summer Time

    WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    My issue with the CWC is that I don't like the way football is trying to push out other sports and become an all year round sport. We already have the Euros and the World Cup every other summer, let's please leave the summer in-between alone so the players can rest. Young fans, dominated by the marketing power of football, can be given the time to seek out tennis, cricket, athletics. Basically, football needs to give us all a break once in a while!

    Tom, London

  12. When could Man City face Real Madrid?published at 09:51 British Summer Time

    If things don't go to plan for Pep Guardiola's side against Juventus, and Real Madrid get the job done in Group H, the two teams would play each other in the last 16 on Tuesday, 1 July at 20:00 BST at the Hard Rock Standium in Miami.

    If City do top the group, they'll be heading to the Camping World Stadium in Orlando instead. The kick-off is the same day, but the time is a less-than-friendly 2am start.

  13. How it stands in Group Hpublished at 09:46 British Summer Time

    Emlyn Begley
    BBC Sport Journalist

    Group HImage source, .

    The winners of Salzburg v Real Madrid will progress top of the group, with the losers knocked out should Al-Hilal beat already-out Pachuca.

    A draw between Salzburg and Real and a win for Al-Hilal would leave all three sides level on points.

    Their head-to-head record would also be the same, leaving Real through thanks to a superior goal difference over the Austrians. Al-Hilal are one goal behind Salzburg on goal difference heading into the final round.

    Should Al-Hilal and Salzburg also finish level on goal difference and goals scored, second place could be decided by disciplinary points or, if that is level, drawing lots.

  14. How it stands in Group Gpublished at 09:42 British Summer Time

    Emlyn Begley
    BBC Sport Journalist

    Group GImage source, .

    Juventus and Manchester City are both through after winning their first two games.

    City need to win the game between the teams to finish top.

    The winners of Manchester City's group face the runners-up in Real Madrid's group, with the team second in Group G playing the winners of Group H.

  15. Get Involved - your thoughts on the Club World Cup so farpublished at 09:36 British Summer Time

    WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Maybe it will pick up in the later stages, but the group stages have been miserable. Total lethargic mismatches, with hardly any crowds, and it's either been too hot or too rainy. They may have the "best teams" playing. Seemingly a few teams, like title winners Liverpool and Napoli, just don't exist in Infantino's eyes. It's been very Americanised with the individual walk-ons. If we're doing that, I suggest taking the darts route and giving the players unique songs to come out to.

    James

  16. Postpublished at 09:31 British Summer Time

    Katie Stafford
    BBC Sport Journalist

    I'm just looking at the quick thumb poll I gave you on on whether Ilkay Gundogan still has a part to play in Pep Guardiola's squad and at the moment you don't think he does.

    Here's another one for you then ... if another club are interested this summer, would you sell him? Or should City keep him as back-up in case they are plagued with injuries again?

    You know the drill. Vote using the thumbs below!

  17. Practise makes perfect for Echeverripublished at 09:22 British Summer Time

    Man City 6-0 Al Ain

    Claudio Echeverri scores a free-kickImage source, Getty Images

    Claudio Echeverri repaid Pep Guardiola with an eye-catching free-kick on his first start for the club against Al Ain and according to the Manchester City boss, the teenager has been putting in set-piece graft.

    Echeverri signed for City in January 2024 but remained at River Plate on loan for another year and was given a surprise debut as a substitute in May's FA Cup final defeat by Crystal Palace.

    "Since he arrived and [in] the three or four months with us, at the end of training sessions he was practising free-kicks with the goalkeeper, wall and alone," Guardiola said.

    "The other ones did not practise. He was practising and practising and the work pays off. Fantastic goal and incredible player."

  18. Get Involved - your thoughts on the Club World Cup so farpublished at 09:15 British Summer Time

    WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Just to counter the negative attitude towards this tournament, I've watched quite a few games and have enjoyed them on the whole. In a few weeks time, all these "fans" will be glued to their phones watching for the outcome of their team's pointless friendly games, which will be all over the world by the way.

    Dave

  19. Where does Gundogan fit now?published at 09:08 British Summer Time

    Ilkay GuendoganImage source, Getty Images

    Tijjani Reijnders is capable of playing anywhere in midfield, so Rayan Cherki will likely play in an advanced role just behind Erling Haaland in the Premier League next season.

    Rodri - you would imagine - would be one of the first names on Pep Guardiola's team sheet once fully fit, which would leave Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic on the bench.

    Gundogan re-signed for City last season after previously departing for Barcelona in 2023 and has a year left on his current contract.

    He has been linked with a move to Galatasaray but the 34-year-old, who scored twice against Al Ain, said: "I have one more year left on my contract and I'm very happy here. I think everybody knows that."

    Last season he made 33 league appearances scoring one goal, which is less goals but in more games than in the three seasons prior to his departure.

    Does Gundogan still have a role to play in Guardiola's newly formed midfield? Use the thumbs below.

  20. Get Involved - your thoughts on the Club World Cup so farpublished at 09:03 British Summer Time

    WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    I've got time for it (highlights and keeping up with the permutations). The problem is we are 'football snobs' and don't value any clubs/leagues outside of Europe. Watching the South American clubs has been a refreshing change to our increasingly dull game of structures and limiting individual brilliance.

    Jeremy, Grantham