Haaland brace gets City off to a winning UCL start

The brilliant Norwegian headed home the first on 47 minutes and then bagged a second from close range in added time to ensure the Blues made the perfect start to our Champions League campaign. 

His double strike also means only Sergio Aguero and Eric Brook have scored more goals for City as he moved onto 167 goals from only 203 appearances.

He has also drawn level with Aguero as our all-time top goalscorer in the Champions League with 36 as the Blues recorded an impressive fourth successive win under Enzo Maresca.

THE GAME IN 250 WORDS

At a rain-soaked Estádio do Dragão, City took on a Porto side unbeaten in their last 33 home games.

Despite the slick surface, the pace of the game was  initially played at a slow pace, with the Blues dominating possession – though it wasn’t until the 21st minute that Porto keeper Diogo Costa was called into action as he pawed away a powerful Erling Haaland header. 

With the hosts rarely threatening, eight minutes later Phil Foden had a good chance with a clear view on goal, but his angled shot lacked power.

Just past the half-hour, however, City went even closer as Matheus Nunes crossed in and Haaland’s powerful shot was saved by Costa who then kept out Rayan Cherki’s follow-up with another instinctive stop.

It took the Blues just two minutes of the second-half to finally find a way through the Portuguese blockade as Foden drove forward, Cherki found Fernández whose deft chip was headed home expertly by Haaland.

The game then became more open and somewhat untidy with the Blues giving possession away too easily on one or two occasions.

But anything less than a win would have been incredibly harsh on a City side that dominated long periods of the game - and Haaland’s clinical finish after great work by Rayan Ait-Nouri sealed victory in added time.

TEAMS

PORTO: D. Costa (C), A. Costa, Pérez, Kiwior, Fernandes, Rosario, Varela (Hwang 68), Veiga, W Gomes (Sainz 68), Pepê, Silva

Subs: Ramos, J. Costa, Moura, Gomes, Souza, Teixeira, Fofana, T. Silva, Cunha, Gimenez

CITY: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias (C), Guéhi, Gvardiol (Khusanov 48), Bouaddi (Kovačić 75), Fernández, Foden (Aït-Nour 75), Cherki (Ndiaye 62), Semenyo (Anderson 62), Haaland

Subs: Bettinelli, Rulli, Reis, Allan, McAidoo, Lewis

ATTENDANCE: 48,106

STAR man: erling haaland

Erling Haaland loves the Champions League.

He has now scored 59 in 59 games in this competition as well as 18 in his last 19 games.

In a bruising physical battle, Haaland battled throughout and his clever header gave the Blues a vital lead just after the break.

And his cool finish in added time ended any hopes Porto had of getting back into the game.

An incredible striker who continues to rewrite the history books.

BOUADDI PROMISE

Ayyoub Bouaddi’s first start for City was impressive.

The 18-year-old’s calmness on the ball is astonishing - he never looks flustered or rushed and is neat and tidy in possession.

Always available, the stylish Moroccan fairly glides around the pitch and the more minutes and training sessions he has, the better he will become.

His 75 against Porto proved he has the ability to become one of the best midfielders in Europe.

It will be fascinating watching his progress.

MARESCA REACTION

“It was the complete performance on the ball and off the ball for 95 minutes.

“We created enough chances to win the game in the first half and their goalkeeper was very good. We tried to continue in the second half in the same way.

“It’s game by game. It’s a different competition, different stadium but the most important thing is we show who we are.

“We try to be aggressive off the ball and on the ball try to plan how we can win the game.

“In terms of where we are, I don’t know. I can see game after game, the team is improving.”

FERNÁNDEZ Reaction

“I’m so happy, [the Club] welcomed me from the first minute when I walked into the door. Not just brilliant players but they’re amazing human beings and they’ve all been so kind to me.

“The fans have been absolutely brilliant and it is a new step in my career. I’m so excited to get going.

“Haaland is an animal, a beast. Every time I’m on the pitch I will look for him. Hopefully I can give him more assists. Haaland is not just a great player but an amazing human being as well and he welcomed me here and has helped me.

“I’m so happy that Maresca did all he could to make this move possible. I know him so well from Chelsea. I’m so grateful, I will give 100% in every training session and in every match to repay him. “

WHAT IT MEANS...

City have three points on the board in the UCL League Phase.

The Blues ended Porto’s 33-match unbeaten home run in the process in what, at times, were difficult circumstances  to earn a well-earned victory.

It is the perfect start for this new-look City team who showed guts, fight and creativity.

WHAT’S NEXT

City return to Premier League action with a trip to face cross-city rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The match will be played on Sunday, 13 September and will kick-off at 16:30 (UK).