‘If this was on purpose, it’s Puskas’: Ilkay Gundogan scores a stunning, if lucky, goal for Manchester City at the Club World Cup

Ilkay Gundogan made a memorable impact in Manchester City’s 6-0 victory over Al Ain during the FIFA Club World Cup. The 34-year-old midfielder opened the scoring early, just eight minutes into the match, with a highly unusual goal. He lobbed the goalkeeper from about 15 yards after a deflected corner, with the ball seemingly intended as a cross aimed at Erling Haaland but looping directly into the net.

The goal drew mixed reactions. Some fans lauded its aesthetic beauty, with one commenting, “If this was on purpose, it’s Puskas for Gundogan.” Others criticized it as a lucky mistake, noting that it appeared unintentional and was the result of poor goalkeeping. Analyses by former City goalkeeper Shay Given highlighted the goal’s fortuitous nature, mentioning that the Al Ain goalkeeper, Khalid Eisa, might have been beaten due to mistakes such as not jumping or moving his feet properly.

Despite the controversy, Gundogan’s goal sparked lively debate among fans and experts alike. The match itself saw further Manchester City goals from Claudio Echeverri, who scored his first for the club with a free-kick, and a penalty converted by Haaland before Gundogan added another in the second half. Teammates Oscar Bobb and Rayan Cherki also found the net, sealing a dominant win for City.