Foden and Doku power second-string Man City past Wydad

PHILADELPHIA :Manchester City began their Club World Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca in their Group G opener on Wednesday, courtesy of first-half goals from Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku.

Manager Pep Guardiola opted to rest several key players, including Erling Haaland, Rodri, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Josko Gvardiol and John Stones in what was a sweltering midday kickoff at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field.

Despite fielding a second-string side, City needed less than two minutes to break the deadlock.

Phil Foden pounced after Savinho's cross was parried by Wydad goalkeeper Mehdi Benabid, with the England midfielder striking a first-time effort into the net to hand City an early lead.

City doubled their advantage three minutes before halftime when Foden delivered a pinpoint corner, and Jeremy Doku caught the Wydad defence napping to volley home at the far post.

City finished with 10 men after Rico Lewis was given a straight red card for a nasty studs-up sliding tackle on Samuel Obeng in the 88th minute.