- Alvarez lowered his body to score after Nathan Aké's long-range effort hit the post
- The goal has been compared to Messi's goal in 2009 when Barcelona lifted the trophy
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Fans have compared Julian Alvarez's final goal at the Club World Cup to Lionel Messi's goal a few years ago.
The forward sunk his body chest-deep into the back of the net just seconds into the match as City faced Fluminese in Saudi Arabia in their bid to become world champions.
There were only 40 seconds left on the clock when Alvarez, who continued to start up front for City in the absence of Erling Haaland, scored to put City ahead against their Brazilian opponents.
The Premier League winners were bidding to become world champions for the first time ever after winning the Champions League for the first time last season and were heavy favorites going into the match.
Alvarez set them up to do just that, and fans have already compared his efforts to those of Lionel Messi for Barcelona in the 2009/2010 competition.
Julian Alvarez showed off an impressive improvisation to put Manchester City ahead in the Club World Cup final
Messi also scored a goal with his chest when Barcelona won the Club World Cup in 2009, when Barcelona defeated Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata in stoppage time.
With the score tied at 1–1 at the end of regular time – with Pedro scoring a late equalizer to prevent a shock defeat for Barcelona – Messi put the ball home with 10 minutes left in stoppage time to save his side to deliver the victory.
“It's creepy!” said a fan on X, formal Twitter. 'Julian Alvarez just recreated Lionel Messi's chest goal at the Club World Cup! The same farmer. Same competition. The same manager. Same type of goal.”
“Julian Alvarez scored a goal with his chest in a Club World Cup final, it reminds me of Messi,” said another, while a third added: “Alvarez shot the chest just like Messi did in the World Cup final for Clubs', accompanied by two greeting emojis.
Alvarez headed in from close range after Nathan Ake had hit the post with a long shot
The striker checked to see if he was onside but replays showed he was and he drove off to celebrate
Messi scored a similar goal in 2009 as Barcelona defeated Estudiantes in stoppage time in Abu Dhabi
Fluminese defender Nino scored an own goal just before the half-hour mark as City took control of the match.
The likes of Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and John Stones all started the match, but Erling Haaland remained absent as he continued his injury recovery.