Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City squad are clearly enjoying their time in Florida.
Their stay is extended, as Manchester City`s next two knockout stage matches are scheduled to be played nearby in Orlando, a short trip from their training base in Boca Raton.
The “Sunshine State” even provided a heavy downpour in the first half, perhaps making Pep`s team feel right at home in the Camping World Stadium.
It was a deluge of goals as well, with Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Savinho finding the net, alongside an unfortunate own goal from Pierre Kalulu.
This victory ensures City finish at the top of Group G, which is a significant step for their ambition to retain the Club World Cup trophy.
Beyond minimizing travel, finishing first grants them a more favorable spot in the knockout bracket, avoiding teams like Bayern Munich and PSG in the other half.
A potential semi-final match against Chelsea, managed by Guardiola`s former assistant Enzo Maresca, is now a possibility.
Guardiola stated before the game that he chose his lineup keeping the extreme heat in mind.
The temperature was 31°C at kickoff in the mid-afternoon, but the humidity made it feel closer to 40°C.
The City manager prioritized having fresh legs for the second half, which is why Haaland was initially on the bench.
Ballon D’Or winner Rodri, recovering from a cruciate knee injury, made his first start since mid-September.
Juventus coach Igor Tudor also made changes, knowing their qualification for the last 16 was already secured.
However, the strategic importance of winning the group versus finishing second was clear to both teams.
The runners-up faced a much tougher route to the final in New York on July 13, potentially encountering strong sides like Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain.
This game was City`s first real test of the tournament, facing a team that had beaten them in the Champions League back in December.
Right from the start, City looked focused and eager.
Rayan Ait Nouri`s cross from the left found captain Bernardo Silva at the far post, but Michele di Gregorio saved his header with his legs.
Ait Nouri, the former Wolves player who impressed on his debut against Al Ain, continued to catch the eye.
He carved through the defense with a pass to Jeremy Doku, who cut inside his defender and calmly slotted the ball into the corner to open the scoring.
For the third consecutive game in the tournament, City scored within the first 10 minutes, getting a perfect start.
However, they gifted Juventus a way back into the match just two minutes later when Ederson`s pass to Bernardo was off target.
Bernardo couldn`t reach the ball, and Teun Koopmeiners took advantage, driving into the open space and finishing powerfully.
Perhaps the heat was a factor, as 15 minutes later, Juventus made a costly error.
Savinho and Matheus Nunes combined to send the ball across, although it wasn`t close to its intended target, Omar Marmoush.
Kalulu, seemingly under no pressure, unexpectedly turned the ball into his own net instead of clearing it for a corner.
Marmoush and Savinho had tame shots saved, but City began to impose their dominance after the initial open phase.
A heavy rain shower just before halftime likely provided a welcome cool-down for the English side.
As expected, Haaland came on for the second half and nearly made an immediate impact but couldn`t quite connect with Savinho`s cross.
However, his goal wasn`t long in coming. Good build-up play from new signing Tijjani Reijnders and Nunes set up the Norwegian with an open net.
It was perhaps one of the luckier finishes of his career, somehow deflecting in off his left leg after he seemed to miss the ball with his right.
But as the former Borussia Dortmund striker knows, every goal counts. Reaching 300 career goals before the age of 25 is a remarkable feat.
City just needed to manage the game, and Ederson atoned for his earlier mistake by quickly coming off his line to deny Dusan Vlahovic.
That save proved crucial, as Haaland then sent Savinho clear, who unselfishly squared the ball for substitute Phil Foden to tap in the fourth goal.
Then, from a corner on the left, the Italians` clearance was weak, and Savinho unleashed a powerful 20-yard shot that flew in off the underside of the crossbar for the fifth goal.
Vlahovic broke away to score a consolation goal six minutes from time, but by then, City fans were already anticipating an extended stay in Florida.
Three wins, 13 goals scored, and only two conceded. Pep`s team is clearly demonstrating serious intent in this tournament.
