Manchester City 2-0 Wydad AC: Late Lewis red mars routine win
Rico Lewis was sent off late on as Manchester City opened their Club World Cup campaign with a relatively comfortable win over Wydad AC.
Phil Foden scored one and set up another as Manchester City beat Wydad AC 2-0 in their opening Club World Cup game.
But a late red card for Rico Lewis spoiled an otherwise ideal start for Pep Guardiola's team in Philadelphia.
Foden opened the scoring inside two minutes, tucking home on the rebound after Mehdi Benabid parried the ball into his path.
Omar Marmoush was inches away from adding a second soon after, while Nathan Ake went close with a towering header, though Ederson had to be alert not to be caught out by Thembinkosi Lorch's hopeful long-range effort.
Having been denied a second by a fine Benabid save, Foden turned provider as City doubled their tally three minutes before half-time – Jeremy Doku acrobatically meeting the playmaker's inswinging corner.
Benabid made another excellent stop with the hour mark approaching, thwarting Doku this time, with substitute Erling Haaland blazing over the crossbar as City searched for a third.
However, Lewis received a straight red card in the 88th minute, after his boot caught Samuel Obeng in the face on the follow-through, with VAR electing not to interfere.
Data Debrief: Foden fires up
City were hardly at their best in their first game since the conclusion of their underwhelming Premier League season, though there were bright signs.
New signing Tijjani Reijnders kept things ticking over in midfield, completing 68 of 74 attempted passes, while Doku was a threat down the left.
Foden, though, grabbed a goal and provided an assist with a brilliantly taken corner, with only Savinho (three) creating more chances for City than the England international (two).
City finished with 1.92 expected goals to Wydad's 0.54, and have put themselves in a great position to qualify from Group G, which also features Al Ain and Juventus.
