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
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Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport Journalist
Image 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.
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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
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!
Man City 6-0 Al Ain
Image source, Getty ImagesClaudio 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."
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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
Image source, Getty ImagesTijjani 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.
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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
BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Getty ImagesDescribed as "one of the greatest technicians in Europe," Rayan Cherki's arrival at Manchester City has been a big talking point of the transfer window so far.
Cherki can play as a winger but his preference is a more central number 10 role, and he has been viewed as a possible replacement for club legend Kevin de Bruyne, who left for Napoli on a free transfer.
And while the Frenchman has already played down the idea of filling the De Bruyne shaped-hole, he is already catching the eye of those watching the Club World Cup.
Commentator Conor McNamara told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: "He’s so good. People are aware of him but he’s not become a superstar yet.
"He has that swagger, little flicks and touches. He scores the goal and I’m sure that’s going to propel him forward.
"City fans will rightly be excited to see what he can go on and achieve once he really gets to know his teammates."
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CWC - Cold Worthless Corporate. I'd rather watch non-league football.
John, Doncaster
Image source, Getty ImagesFollowing a difficult Premier League campaign and the departure of Kevin de Bruyne, Pep Guardiola is re-building his Manchester City midfield this summer.
Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders have come through the door and Rodri is working his way back to full fitness after suffering an ACL injury.
But City already have the experienced trio of Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic and the promising talent of Nico O'Reilly - so Guardiola could have quite the selection dilemma when all fit.
Man City 6-0 Al Ain
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Manchester City have been without a recognised left-back since the departure of Benjamin Mendy, but Pep Guardiola seems to have found the perfect solution in former Wolves defender Rayan Ait-Nouri.
"Wow," said Guardiola of Ait-Nouri's performance. "He had to defend a back four, then make a back five. He played really, really good, not for the first time.
"It was his first game but he has played in the Premier League for many years."
Image source, .Playing at the incredible Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ait-Nouri showcased the class he possesses with driving runs up and down the left flank.
He played the full game and highlighted why he will be such an asset with a total of 92 touches of the ball, including seven in the opposition box, second only to Erling Haaland.
Lorraine McKenna
BBC Sport Journalist
Great to have your thoughts in so quick, folks. But if you can, please put your name on your messages so we can say hello to you. For the trio of Anons, I'm going to call you Rod, Jane and Freddy.
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I'd rather watch grass grow.
Anon
Personally I think the competition is nothing but a nonsense! It's only designed to eventually replace the World Cup. It's for a handful of ignorant people.
Anon
As a neutral, I watched one half of the tournament on the second day. I really struggled to get into it because the lack of fans and the somewhat corporate atmosphere conjured images of the pandemic games for me. That's not something I ever want to relive.
Anon
Lorraine McKenna
BBC Sport Journalist
The Club World Cup is getting the cold thumb from you lot so far - those down votes are coming in thick and fast.
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Maybe the first question should be: Have you watched any of the tournament yet? Some of the kick-off times across the pond don't lend themselves to us here in UK but even if your team is taking part, has the competition in the United States passed you by?
On the flip side, now that we're getting to the end of the short group phase and heading into the knockout stages, is this when your interest will perk up? Would Manchester City meeting Real Madrid in the last-16 be a good thing to entice viewers?
Get in touch with us via the usual channels on WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply).
Katie Stafford
BBC Sport Journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesIf you scored your first goal for your new team, and it was the sixth goal of the game, then you would probably want to milk the moment - I definitely would.
But for summer signing Rayan Cherki, his Manchester City teammates had other ideas.
A quick high five with Ruben Dias and back to the centre-spot they went because City wanted that seventh goal.
Bernardo Silva, Pep Guardiola's newly appointed captain, even tapped an imaginary watch from the bench!
Man City 6-0 Al Ain
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Image source, Getty ImagesMidfielder Ilkay Gundogan says he is "very happy" at Manchester City and wants to "play at the highest level for much longer" after starring at the Club World Cup on Sunday.
The 34-year-old Germany midfielder has been linked with a move to Galatasaray and boss Pep Guardiola has been open about wanting to work with a smaller squad this season.
"I have one more year left on my contract and I'm very happy here," said player of the match Gundogan. "I think everybody knows that.
"I am committed to that competition and enjoying my football. I still believe I have several years in me at the highest level by taking good care of myself. I've proven last season where I didn't miss a game.
"I'm available, I'm fit - I want to play at the highest level for much longer."
Guardiola was asked about Gundogan's future on Saturday and said: "No news is good news. So I don't know anything, I didn't speak with him.
"If he will not be part [of the squad], he would not be here. But at the same time, we have - right now - a long squad, too many players, so we cannot go with 26 or 27 players this season."
Man City 6-0 Al Ain
Image source, Getty ImagesWith that lucious scandi blonde hair tied back, Erling Haaland scored his first goal of the Club World Cup from the penalty spot (and also assisted Rayan Cherki) after Ramy Rabia bundled over Manuel Akanji in the box - the referee awarding the spot-kick after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor.
The Norway striker could've had a hat-trick himself on the night and cut quite the frustrated figure at the end of game, with City unable to get that seventh goal that would've meant they only needed a draw against Juventus on Thursday in Orlando.
Pick that out of the net!
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, getty
Image source, Getty ImagesWhen Manchester City sign an Argentinian it is hard not to get excited given the club's history of Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Julian Alvarez.
So could Claudio Echeverri be the next South American star?
Pep Guardiola gave the 19-year-old his first full debut overnight after signing for City in January 2024 and remaining at River Plate on loan for a further year.
He only played the first half after coming off injured, but he caught everyone's eye with a special free-kick that Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eissa had no chance of getting to.
"It's a pity for the twisted (ankle), which is a little bit sore," said Pep Guardiola post-match. "It was a problem, that's why he could not continue after halftime.
"He's an incredible player, a big, big talent in small spaces. I'm happy for him, because it was a great goal."