Pep Guardiola “closed the circle” by winning a fifth trophy in 2023, crowning Manchester City as world champions for the first time.

The Rio team was devastated by two goals from the recalled Julian Alvarez, one in the first minute from an own goal set up by Phil Foden and the other from the England player’s close-range strike.

Manchester City are the Fifa Club World Cup champions after thrashing Fluminense

Julian Alvarez got City off to a flyer after just 40 seconds

Phil Foden’s cross was then deflected into the net to double the advantage

Not including five Community Shields or its domestic equivalent, Guardiola won his 32nd major prize in just 15 years as a manager, with no desert storm coming from the perplexed Brazilians.

The win was not only resounding, all-encompassing, and record-tying, but it also had the potential to be even greater.

With just 41 seconds gone, City had already taken the lead. They could not have started any better.

Nathan Ake had all the time in the world to pace forward and score from 25 yards after experienced former Real Madrid player Marcelo made a hasty clearance that was picked up by the Dutch defender.

The curling attempt was slightly touched by goalkeeper Fabio to go against the post, but the rebound fell into the middle of the goal, where Alvarez cleverly chested into the open net.

If Ederson hadn’t been saved by a precise, albeit incorrect, offside flag from German Cano as he bundled over, the story would have appeared to be about two Brazilian keepers.

Rather, City more than doubled their lead, though not without a little bit of luck.

City star Rodri then went down late on clutching his knee

The Spanish midfielder then limped off to hand Pep Guardiola a fresh injury scare

A startling marking gave Foden the freedom to retrieve from Rodri inside the box.

Prior to the ball deflecting off the frantic Nino’s right shin and nestling in the far corner, it was evident that the England player was going for Alvarez rather than the goal.

The lead could have been extended by Jack Grealish, Foden, or Bernardo Silva, but Ederson’s outstanding save from a header by Jhon Arias kept it intact.

But when Foden finished off an Alvarez cross-shot, all hope was dashed.

Guardiola is likely to be concerned about the damage Rodri’s right knee received following Alexsander’s reckless lunge.

However, Alvarez’s sloppy finish made sure that City had equaled the record winning margin in the Club World Cup Final, which Guardiola’s Barcelona had set against Santos in 2011.