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

Manager Pep Guardiola opted to start with several key players on the bench, including Erling Haaland, Rodri, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Josko Gvardiol and John Stones for what was a sweltering midday kickoff at Philadelphia鈥檚 Lincoln Financial Field.

Despite fielding a second-string side, City needed less than two minutes to break the deadlock.

Phil Foden pounced after Savinho鈥檚 cross was parried by Wydad goalkeeper Mehdi Benabid, with the England midfielder striking a first-time effort into the net to hand City an early lead.

City doubled their advantage three minutes before halftime when Foden delivered a pinpoint corner and Jeremy Doku caught the Wydad defense napping to volley home at the far post.

City finished with 10 men after Rico Lewis was given a straight red card for a nasty studs-up sliding tackle on Samuel Obeng in the 88th minute.

Wydad, undeterred after conceding the early goal, showed resilience and threatened on the counter-attack and forward Cassius Mailula nearly equalized with an audacious lob from midfield in the 15th minute.

Moments later, Mohamed Moufid set up Thembinkosi Lorch with a low cross, but the South African forward just failed to get there in time with a sliding effort.

City also had chances to extend their lead before halftime. Omar Marmoush saw his strike from the edge of the box sail just wide, while Nathan Ake鈥檚 towering header from a corner went inches over the bar.

At the other end, Wydad squandered a golden opportunity in the 30th minute when Vitor Reis鈥檚 misplaced pass gifted the ball to Lorch, only for Mailula鈥檚 follow-up shot to be smothered by City keeper Ederson.

After City doubled their lead before the break, the second half saw a dramatic drop in tempo under the scorching midday sun, though City went close to adding a third through Rayan Cherki.

The 21-year-old, signed from Olympique Lyonnais for 40 million euros ($46.06 million) ahead
of the tournament, unleashed a shot from the edge of the area, only for Benabid to produce a fine save.

The Moroccan keeper later denied substitute Haaland with a reflex save in a one-on-one.

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