Phil Foden scored one and arrange one other as Manchester Metropolis beat Wydad AC 2-0 of their opening Membership World Cup recreation.
However a late purple card for Rico Lewis spoiled an in any other case supreme begin for Pep Guardiola’s staff in Philadelphia.
Foden opened the scoring inside two minutes, tucking residence on the rebound after Mehdi Benabid parried the ball into his path.
Omar Marmoush was inches away from including a second quickly after, whereas Nathan Ake went shut with a towering header, although Ederson needed to be alert to not be caught out by Thembinkosi Lorch’s hopeful long-range effort.
Having been denied a second by a high-quality Benabid save, Foden turned supplier as Metropolis doubled their tally three minutes earlier than half-time – Jeremy Doku acrobatically assembly the playmaker’s inswinging nook.
Benabid made one other wonderful cease with the hour mark approaching, thwarting Doku this time, with substitute Erling Haaland blazing over the crossbar as Metropolis looked for a 3rd.
Nevertheless, Lewis obtained a straight purple card within the 88th minute, after his boot caught Samuel Obeng within the face on the follow-through, with VAR electing to not intervene.
Beginning off with a win
2-0 #FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/PCnLZ16JCX
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) June 18, 2025
Knowledge Debrief: Foden fires up
Metropolis had been hardly at their greatest of their first recreation because the conclusion of their underwhelming Premier League season, although there have been shiny indicators.
New signing Tijjani Reijnders saved issues ticking over in midfield, finishing 68 of 74 tried passes, whereas Doku was a menace down the left.
Foden, although, grabbed a aim and supplied an help with a brilliantly taken nook, with solely Savinho (three) creating extra possibilities for Metropolis than the England worldwide (two).
Metropolis completed with 1.92 anticipated targets to Wydad’s 0.54, and have put themselves in a terrific place to qualify from Group G, which additionally options Al Ain and Juventus.
