Manchester City began their Club World Cup campaign on Wednesday with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Morocco's Wydad Casablanca in their Group G opener, courtesy of first-half goals from Phil Foden and Jérémy Doku.

Manager Pep Guardiola opted to rest several key players, including Erling Haaland, Rodri, Rúben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Josko Gvardiol and John Stones, for the sweltering midday kick-off at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field.

Despite fielding a second-string side, City broke the deadlock in under two minutes.

Foden pounced after Savinho's cross was parried by Wydad goalkeeper Mehdi Benabid, striking a first-time shot into the net to hand City an early lead.

City doubled their advantage three minutes before half-time when Foden delivered a pinpoint corner and Doku caught the Wydad defence off guard to volley home at the far post.

City finished with ten men after Rico Lewis received a straight red card for a nasty studs-up sliding tackle on Samuel Obeng in the 88^(th) minute.

Summer signings Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders made their City debuts as starters. The club's other new signing, defender Rayan Ait-Nouri, did not play.

City will now turn their attention to Sunday's clash with the United Arab Emirates side Al Ain, while Wydad will face Juventus in their next Group G match.