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      Man City vs Fluminense LIVE – Fifa Club World Cup final: Treble winners aim for history as they take on Brazilian giants

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      MANCHESTER CITY will face Brazilian giants Fluminense in the final of the Fifa Club World Cup TONIGHT!The Treble winners easily brushed aside Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-finals, beating the Japanese side 3-0.
      Manchester City beat Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-finalCredit: GETTY
      An own goal from Marius Hoibraten and strikes from Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva helped City secure their spot in the final without goal machine Erling Haaland.
      Pep Guardiola’s side put aside their recent rocky Premier League form and are in pole position to take home their fifth honour in 2023.
      Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense beat Al Ahly 2-0 to book their place in the last two.
      When is Man City vs Fluminense?

      Man City vs Fluminense will take place TONIGHT – Friday, December 22nd.
      Kick off will be at 6pm GMT.
      King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia will host.

      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      What TV channel is Man City vs Fluminense on and can it be live streamed?

      Man City vs Fluminense will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1.
      You can live stream the Fifa Club World Cup final on discovery+.
      Alternatively, you can keep up to date with all the action by following SunSport’s live blog.

      Team news
      Manchester City will be definitely without the trio of Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Kevin de Bruyne despite travelling with the Man City squad to Saudi Arabia.
      The three are unavailable due to Fifa rules forbidding any player who did not feature in the semi-final matchday squad from playing in the final.
      Julian Alvarez started on the bench for the semi-final, with Pep Guardiola opting to play without a recognised striker, but the Spaniard could bring in the Argentine for the final.
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      Meanwhile, five-time Champions League winner Marcelo will likely feature for the Brazilians.
      What are the odds?
      Match result

      Man City – 1/4
      Draw – 9/2
      Fluminense – 8/1

      To lift the trophy

      Man City – 1/7
      Fluminense – 4/1

      *Odds courtesy of William Hill and are correct at the time of publication. More

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      Why is Erling Haaland not allowed to play in the Club World Cup final?

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      ERLING HAALAND is set to miss out on Manchester City’s FIFA Club World Cup final clash against Fluminese – but not because of an injury.Pep Guardiola’s Treble winners thumped Japanese outfit Urawa Red Diamonds to book their spot in tonight’s showdown.
      Manchester City cruised into the finalCredit: Getty
      City was impressive as they did it without their goal-machine Haaland who missed out due to a foot issue.
      And just as it seemed the Norweigian was in with a chance of returning to the fold.
      A bizarre FIFA rule has ruled Haaland out from playing – along with teammates Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku.
      Why is Erling Haaland not allowed to play in the Club World Cup final?
      FIFA rules state that no player who was left out of the 23-man squad squad for the semi-final can play any future matches in the competition.
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      And due to Haaland being omitted from the Urawa Red Diamonds contest, he cannot feature in the final against Fluminese.
      It means this will be the fifth consecutive match Haaland has missed after being ruled out for Luton, Red Star Belgrade and Crystal Palace before the Club World Cup.
      Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku are also set to miss out on what could be a momentous occasion in City’s history for the same reason.
      What has been said?
      Pep Guardiola prefers to focus on the players he does have for the final and highlighted how important this match is for Manchester City.
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      Speaking after the semi-final win, Pep said: “The players know how important it is for the club.
      “To be in this final, you have to do incredible things like win the Champions League. This may be the only time we play this in our lifetime.
      “We are there. We will try to win a title we don’t have and finish the circle.”
      When is the Club World Cup final?

      Manchester City’s Club World Cup final against Fluminese will take place TONIGHT – Friday, December 22.
      It is scheduled to get underway at 6pm GMT – 9pm local time.
      King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is the allocated arena for this huge match and it can host 62,345 fans.
      Real Madrid won their fifth title against Al Hilal in the 2022 final. More

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      Man City will be banned from wearing Fifa Club World Cup winners’ badge due to little known rule

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      MANCHESTER CITY will be banned from wearing the Fifa Club World Cup winners’ badge if they lift the trophy on Friday.A little known Premier League rule has previously prevented Liverpool and Chelsea from wearing the emblem.
      Manchester City could be banned from wearing the Club World Cup winners’ badge in the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
      The gold detailing is available to the winners of the competition, with City hoping to become the latest victors on Friday.
      Pep Guardiola’s side face Fluminense in Jeddah, looking to become the fourth English Club World Cup winners.
      Although they will be free to wear the winners’ badge in the FA Cup and Champions League, they could be prevented from doing so in the league.
      Premier League rule M1.20 states: “Strips of the description thus registered shall be worn throughout the Season immediately following and no changes to it shall be made except with the prior written permission of the Board.
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      “Any request for such permission must be made to the Board no less than 14 days before the League Match in which the Club concerned intends to wear the changed Strip.”
      City will be unable to get approval for their next two Premier League matches against Everton and Sheffield United on December 27 and 30, respectively.
      However, they could be given permission in time for their trip to Newcastle on January 13.
      They could still be denied, though, with Liverpool only given permission to wear the badge once after winning the Club World Cup in 2019.
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      Chelsea were also set to face the same stipulation two years later before being given the green light for multiple matches at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
      City booked their place in Friday’s final with a 3-0 victory over Asian champions Urawa Red Diamonds on Tuesday. More

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      I missed birth of my first child to play at Club World Cup then scored horror own goal to send Man City through

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      ONE player took his commitment to another level when he missed the birth of his first child to play in the Club World Cup. Urawa Red Diamond’s defender Marius Hoibraten may regret his choice now as his side were knocked out by Man City after he netted an own goal to open the scoring.
      Marius Hoibraten made a huge sacrifice to play at the Club World Cup with Urawa Red DiamondsCredit: Getty
      Hoibraten missed the birth of his first childCredit: Instagram @solveigvalestrand
      The 28-year-old turned the ball into his own net in the 45th minute when Matheus Nunes tried to play a ball into the box.
      And Hoibraten looked crestfallen as he watched the net ripple and saw the Japanese outfit’s hard work undone by his error.
      The Norwegian centre-back had favoured the tournament over being at home with his partner to welcome their first born child.
      He instead witnessed the event via Facetime before jetting home for just 12 hours to see his fiancee Solveig and their new son.
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      Luckily for him he will be heading home earlier than expected to spend some more time with his new born after City denied Urawa a place in the final.
      Pep Guardiola’s side breezed the second half as they added two more goals to see the match end 3-0.
      It was Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva who piled more misery on top of Hoibraten’s own goal in the first half.
      The Cityzens are now just one game away from making history as they prepare for the Club World Cup final in Saudi Arabia this Friday.
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      The treble winners will face Brazilian side Fluminense who secured their spot in the final with a 2-0 win over Al Ahly.
      And they’ll have to beat the South Americans without terrific trio Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Kevin de Bruyne.
      Despite making the trip out to the Middle East with the squad the three superstars are all unavailable due to Fifa rules forbidding any player who did not feature in the semi-final matchday squad from playing in the final.
      Hoibraten scored an own goal to open the scoring in the Club World Cup semi-final against Man CityCredit: Getty More

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      Man City vs Fluminense – Fifa Club World Cup final: Treble winners aim to make history as they take on Brazilian giants

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      MANCHESTER CITY will face Brazilian giants Fluminense in the final of the Fifa Club World Cup on Friday night.The Treble winners easily brushed aside Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-finals, beating the Japanese side 3-0.
      Manchester City beat Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-finalCredit: GETTY
      An own goal from Marius Hoibraten and strikes from Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva helped City secure their spot in the final without goal machine Erling Haaland.
      Pep Guardiola’s side put behind their recent rocky Premier League form and are in pole position to take home their fifth honour in 2023.
      Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense beat Al Ahly 2-0 to book their place in the last two.
      When is Man City vs Fluminense?

      Man City vs Fluminense will take place on Friday, December 22nd.
      Kick off will be at 6pm GMT.
      King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia will host.

      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      What TV channel is Man City vs Fluminense on and can it be live streamed?

      Man City vs Fluminense will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 2.
      You can live stream the Fifa Club World Cup final on discovery+.
      Alternatively, you can keep up to date with all the action by following SunSport’s live blog.

      Team news
      Manchester City will be definitely without the trio of Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Kevin de Bruyne despite travelling with the Man City squad to Saudi Arabia.
      The three are unavailable due to Fifa rules forbidding any player who did not feature in the semi-final matchday squad from playing in the final.
      Julian Alvarez started on the bench for the semi-final, with Pep Guardiola opting to play without a recognised striker, but the Spaniard could bring in the Argentine for the final.
      Most read in Football
      Meanwhile, five-time Champions League winner Marcelo will likely feature for the Brazilians.
      What are the odds?
      Match result

      Man City – 1/4
      Draw – 9/2
      Fluminense – 8/1

      To lift the trophy

      Man City – 1/7
      Fluminense – 4/1

      *Odds courtesy of William Hill and are correct at the time of publication. More

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      Man City 3 Urawa Reds 0: Kovacic and Bernardo Silva net as Pep Guardiola’s men cruise into Club World Cup final

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      PEP Guardiola is 90 minutes from history after Manchester City crushed the Japanese Diamonds to reach the Club World Cup Final.Second half strikes from Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva sealed victory after Norwegian defender Marius Hoibraten diverted Nateus Nunes’ cross into his own net in first half stoppage time.
      Manchester City have secured their place in the Club World Cup finalCredit: Getty
      City cruised past Japanese outfit Urawa Reds in a 3-0 victoryCredit: EPA
      It was far too easy, with the Asian champions not having a single effort on goal until the game was long gone.
      But Guardiola will not complain after his men showed their ability to simply smother the life out of limited opponents.
      And it means the Spaniard and his team have closed in on becoming the first English side to win the five biggest trophies available in a single year.
      Early sighters by Rodri – from fully 35 yards – and false nine Bernardo Silva, neither on target, came after City established total control of possession and position.
      READ MORE MAN CITY NEWS
      It felt like little more than an extended training exercise, Guardiola’s side passing and probing until the Japanese outfit buckled from their constant back-pedalling.
      Even without Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne – whose faces displayed on the giant screens at either end of the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium brought the loudest cheers of the night – City were far too good.
      Yet for all that, the only real opening of the first half hour came when Jack Grealish teased a delicious cross that Bernardo could only help into the hands of keeper Shusaku Nishikawa.
      Nishikawa was properly called into action when a smart turn by Mateus Nunes allowed the Portuguese to unleash a rising drive that was turned over the top.
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      Mateo Kovacic doubled Man City’s lead to 2-0Credit: Getty
      And when the keeper denied first Phil Foden and then Rodri, Urawa looked set to reach the break on level terms.
      Cue a shocker, Hoibraten opting for a panicked stretch and turning Nunes’ low cross – nowhere near Foden – past the keeper’s left hand and into the bottom corner.
      And when Kovacic raced onto Kyle Walker’s brilliant defence-splitting ball seven minutes into the second period, holding off the lone defender before smashing home, there was no way back for the Asian champions.
      Nunes should have headed in the third from a Jack Grealish cross.
      But soon after Nunes’ thumping effort was well-saved by the keeper only for Bernardo’s rebound to find the bottom corner after another deflection by the unfortunate Hoibraten.
      Now only Brazilians Fluminense, including Real Madrid legend Marcelo, stand between City and that record.
      Bernardo Silva put the cherry on the cake for City and secured the 3-0 victoryCredit: Getty More

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      TNT Sports’ Club World Cup coverage leaves Man City fans baffled with ‘career mode camera’

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      MANCHESTER CITY fans were left baffled by the camera angle used during TNT Sports’ coverage of the Club World Cup.Manchester City beat Japanese side Urawa Reds 3-0 to set up a clash with Fluminense in the final.
      Fans were not happy with TNT Sports Club World Cup coverage
      Many felt the camera angle was not close enough
      But midway through the first half fans began to complain about the camera angle used, as it was zoomed out too much.
      TNT Sports explained they had little control over the broadcast as the camera feed was supplied locally – not by them.
      That did not prevent viewers directing their dissatisfaction towards the broadcaster however, with many airing their complaints.
      One fan said: “Cheers TNT providing the career mode camera angles 👍”
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      Another added: “What is this camera angle?”
      A third wrote: “That camera angle made me feel like I was sat in space.”
      And another commented: “What’s gone on here. Like playing Fifa this camera angle 😂😂”
      City took the lead at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium through an own goal scored by Marius Høibråten.
      Most read in Football
      Pep Guardiola played without a recognised striker as Julian Alvarez was given a well deserved rest.
      Erling Haaland, who is unavailable through injury, watched on from the stands.
      He was joined by long-term absentee Kevin De Bruyne, who is training with the squad for the first time in months in Jeddah. More

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      I faced Guardiola in his first game as a manager – now I’m out to stop him winning only trophy he’s missing at Man City

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      URAWA RED DIAMONDS coach Maciej Skorza has waited 15 years for the chance to lock horns with Pep Guardiola again.And the Pole cannot wait to see if his underdogs can shock the world.
      Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will face the manager he met in his debutCredit: Getty
      Urawa Red Diamonds coach Maciej Skorza defeated Guardiola in 2008Credit: Getty
      Skorza, 51, was in the away dugout in the Nou Camp as Guardiola’s first game as a coach in 2008 ended in a 4-0 Champions League qualifying win.
      While Wisla Krakow won the second leg 1-0, Guardiola’s side went on to beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United 2-0 in the 2009 Final in Rome to complete the first of his many Trebles.
      Skorza, who will step down after the tournament, recalled: “I had the great pleasure to meet Mr Guardiola 15 years ago and I have to admit that from that moment I have admired his work. 
      “He is the No1 manager in the world, so personally it is a special moment to play against his team again after 15 years.
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      “So it is fantastic for me and for my team, because we are playing the best team in the world as well.
      “This is a rare opportunity but our dream is to play in the Final.
      “On paper, City are a better team than us in every aspect. But in football, sometimes, it doesn’t work like that.
      “I believe in my players because we have a fantastic team with fantastic character.
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      “We know we will suffer on the pitch at times but we have to keep going and keep fighting and try to realise our plan.
      “What is important is how we manage the space behind their defence. I believe that we can play a very good game.
      “What the result will be, nobody knows – it’s football. But the most important thing is keeping this team spirit at the top level.”
      Erling Haaland will not be risked after being left out of training, although Kevin De Bruyne could be back on the bench for City.
      Guardiola said: “This is the one trophy we don’t have, so we want to close the circle and have won everything we can win.
      “You have a responsibility to win all the games and every competition.
      “The players know that and we’ll try to perform well.”
      Probable teams: 
      Read more on The Sun
      Manchester City: Steffen; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Kovacic; Foden, Alvarez, Grealish
      Urawa Red Diamonds: Nishikawa; Sakai, Scholz, Hoibraten, Akimoto; Ito, Iwao; Okubu, Yasui, Koizumi; Kante. More