Manchester City began their Club World Cup journey with a solid 2-0 victory against Wydad Casablanca at Lincoln Financial Field. The match witnessed an impressive start from City, with Phil Foden scoring just two minutes into the game, capitalizing on a setup from Jeremy Doku. The Belgian winger played a crucial role in both of City's goals, doubling the lead just before halftime with a well-placed header from a corner.

Despite City’s dominance, they faced some challenges, particularly in the second half. The Moroccan side showed resilience and nearly found an equalizer on a few occasions, but City’s defense held firm. Unfortunately for City, young full-back Rico Lewis received a red card late in the match for a high challenge on Wydad's Samuel Obeng, although Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his frustration over the decision, arguing that Lewis had no intention to harm.

In addition to the victory, the match marked the debut of new signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, who both contributed to the team's attacking play. Foden's performance earned him the Player of the Match award, as he looked to break a goal drought that extended over 20 matches for club and country.

Following this win, Manchester City will face Al Ain in their next group match, aiming to secure their position at the top of Group G before concluding their group stage against Juventus. The atmosphere in Philadelphia was buoyed by a passionate contingent of Wydad fans, adding to the excitement of this international competition.