Chapter 758: Chasing the Sextuple
Manchester United's next attack showcased their exceptional teamwork and creativity.
From just outside the penalty area, Bruno Fernandes received the ball, quickly passing to Harry Kane before sprinting forward to draw defenders. Kane seemed poised to play a one-two with Bruno but instead used a clever backheel to lay the ball off to İlkay Gündoğan, who immediately sent a curling pass to the left flank.
"Brilliant! Mbappé!"
"He's through!"
United's earlier movements suggested they were pressing from the right, causing Flamengo's defense to shift heavily toward that side. Exploiting this imbalance, Kylian Mbappé surged in from behind Flamengo's defender Rodrigo Caio. Cutting inside, Mbappé drew Rafinha forward, then slid a diagonal pass to the top of the penalty arc.
"Harry Kane! He shoots—"
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!"
Flamengo's defense, stretched thin by United's intricate play, left Kane with just one defender, Pablo Marí, to contend with. Kane controlled the ball smoothly, took a touch to evade Marí, and unleashed a low-driven shot. The strike skimmed the grass with remarkable pace and precision, sneaking past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Diego Alves, whose view had been obstructed by players in the box.
"1–0! Harry Kane scores!"
"Mbappé assists Harry Kane, and Manchester United lead Flamengo 1–0 at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha."
...
Mourinho's Response
On the touchline, José Mourinho rose to his feet, clapping enthusiastically and punching the air before calmly retaking his seat. His measured reaction reflected his expectations: scoring against Flamengo wasn't something to celebrate excessively. If not for concerns about appearing disrespectful toward the Brazilian side, Mourinho might not have even stood up to applaud.
On the opposite bench, Flamengo coach Jorge Jesus wiped sweat from his brow, visibly anxious. Despite understanding the vast gulf in quality between his team and United, Jesus had approached the match with hopes of pulling off an upset.
Having defeated AFC Champions League winners Al-Hilal 3–1 in the semifinals, Jesus had allowed himself to dream of toppling United and claiming the Club World Cup title.
For Jesus, this was more than just a game—it was an opportunity. Leading Flamengo to a shock victory over United on the global stage could catapult him back to Europe, perhaps even to one of the top five leagues. This match was his chance to prove himself as a world-class coach.
...
Jesus's Tactical Gamble
To prepare for this match, Jorge Jesus had meticulously crafted a plan. Knowing Flamengo couldn't match United's quality in open play, he committed to a deep defensive strategy. The goal was to keep United scoreless, seize a counterattacking opportunity, and steal a narrow win—perhaps even a 1–0 upset.
But reality was unforgiving. Flamengo's defensive setup faltered as early as the 16th minute, conceding the opening goal.
Still, Jesus didn't despair. While upsetting United seemed increasingly unlikely, a narrow 0–1 loss in the final would still be seen as a respectable result for Flamengo and a personal achievement for him as their coach.
Flamengo remained disciplined, refusing to press forward recklessly. They continued to defend compactly, hoping to keep the scoreline close.
...
Mourinho's Surprise
Mourinho was taken aback by Flamengo's continued defensive approach after conceding.
He had expected the Brazilian side to press forward in search of an equalizer. From Mourinho's perspective, a defensive strategy no longer served much purpose once Flamengo were trailing. Their best hope, he thought, would be to open up the game and play more freely.
In his mind, Flamengo should have been satisfied with simply reaching the final. Without the burden of pressure, they could have played with abandon, enjoying the occasion.
What Mourinho didn't realize was the extent of Jesus's ambition. For the Flamengo coach, this wasn't just a game—it was a career-defining opportunity.
As the match resumed and Flamengo continued their cautious approach, Mourinho's initial surprise turned to admiration.
"This is a very rational coach," Mourinho thought. "He has a clear tactical vision and the determination to stick to it."
...
Fifteen minutes later, in the 33rd minute, Flamengo's defensive midfielder Willian Arão was forced to commit a tactical foul to stop Bruno Fernandes, earning Manchester United a free kick in a dangerous area.
Bruno stepped up to take the free kick himself, sending a beautiful curling effort toward the top corner. However, Flamengo goalkeeper Diego Alves made an outstanding save, tipping the ball over the crossbar with one hand.
United earned a corner kick.
Bruno delivered the corner with precision to the penalty spot, where Virgil van Dijk rose to meet it, heading the ball toward the far post. There, Harry Maguire was waiting, nodding the ball back into the center.
Unmarked, Riyad Mahrez struck a powerful volley from close range, sending the ball into the net.
"GOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!"
"Mahrez! Mahrez!! Mahrez!!! Manchester United capitalize on the corner kick to double their lead—2–0 against Flamengo."
"Two goals up, and it's still the first half. Even with an hour of play remaining, it's hard to imagine Manchester United letting this one slip. The Club World Cup trophy is now firmly within their grasp."
...
Mourinho's Satisfaction
José Mourinho rose from his seat, clapping and cheering from the sidelines. This time, it wasn't for show—he was genuinely pleased with the goal.
The sequence was the result of meticulous training on set-piece strategies: two towering defenders created the chance for a clinical finisher like Mahrez to seal the deal. Mourinho couldn't have asked for better execution.
On the opposite bench, Flamengo coach Jorge Jesus let out a long sigh. The reality of facing Manchester United and Mourinho was sinking in. His ambitions of an upset were beginning to seem laughably unrealistic.
"This isn't just an uphill battle—it's a nightmare on hard mode," Jorge Jesus thought grimly.
Despite trailing 2–0, he decided to take a gamble. Gesturing energetically from the sidelines, he signaled for his team to push forward into attack.
"We're already down 2–0—what's the point of sitting back?" he muttered to himself. "Might as well go down swinging."
Meanwhile, Mourinho remained calm, crossing his legs on the bench. Watching Flamengo attempt to turn the tide, he smiled knowingly. Rising to the sideline, he called out to Bruno Fernandes and gestured a quick instruction.
"Manchester United are intentionally slowing the tempo now," the commentator noted.
"Not just slowing the tempo—they're drawing Flamengo out," added another. "Mourinho's scheming again. Everyone knows how deadly United's counterattacks are. He's setting up Flamengo to showcase their textbook fast-break tactics."
...
Flamengo's Offensive Gamble
Flamengo launched another attack, pushing the majority of their players forward. However, they were up against one of the most solid defenses in Europe.
United's defensive unit, anchored by N'Golo Kanté in midfield and the formidable center-back duo of Maguire and Van Dijk, was virtually impenetrable. Against lesser opponents like Al-Hilal in the semifinals, Flamengo had found joy, but here they were out of their depth.
During this sequence, Flamengo's pacey forward Éverton Ribeiro attempted to break through on the right. While he initially got past João Cancelo, the United right-back recovered quickly, chasing Ribeiro and tangling with him for the ball.
Other Flamengo players shifted toward Ribeiro to offer support, leaving themselves vulnerable to a counterattack. Seizing the opportunity, Van Dijk stepped out of the box and cleanly dispossessed Ribeiro, quickly passing the ball to Kanté.
Kanté used his body to shield the ball, drawing pressure before laying it off to Bruno Fernandes.
"Here it comes! Here it comes! Manchester United on the counter!"
United fans at Khalifa International Stadium roared with anticipation.
Bruno received the ball, executed a seamless turn, and evaded the onrushing Arão with a quick pull-back. With a flick of his ankle, he launched a pinpoint long pass forward.
Up ahead, Kylian Mbappé sprinted onto the ball, his speed leaving Flamengo's defenders trailing in his wake.
"Mbappé! Brilliant run! He's into the box—cuts it across—Harry Kane lets it go—Mahrez!"
"GOOOOOOOALLLLLLLL!!!!!!"
"Magnificent teamwork! What a counterattack! United strike again in the 39th minute, and it's 3–0!"
"Two goals down, Flamengo pushed forward, only for United to punish them with a masterclass in counterattacking football. This is a lesson for the South American challengers on how Europe's best execute a fast break."
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