Erling Haaland ended his Champions League goal drought with a second-half double to give Manchester City a 3-1 win over Young Boys and maintain the holder’s 100 percent record in the group stages.
The Norwegian had gone five games in the league without a goal – and missed another six good chances in Bern – but ended his barren spell with a penalty and then a rasping right-footed shot as City suffered a scare in Switzerland.
After a goalless first half that saw City miss a host of first-half chances, Manuel Akanji gave the visitors the lead on the defender’s return to his homeland, but the treble winners were immediately put back when Meschack Elia scored a superb chip on Ederson on the flank. pause.
City saw Julian Alvarez’s goal disallowed by VAR in the build-up due to a Jack Grealish handball, but then Haaland scored from the spot with just over 20 minutes to go after Rodri had made a mistake, before firing in a high finish set the net with his right foot in the final minutes of the match.
The result means City need a win from their remaining three Champions League games to qualify for the knockout stages, while attention for Pep Guardiola’s side turns to Sunday’s Manchester derby against local rivals United, live continue Air sports with kick-off at 3:30 PM.
More to follow…
Man City’s remaining Champions League matches…
November 7: Young Boys (H) – kick-off 8 p.m
November 28: RB Leipzig (H) – kick-off 8 p.m
December 13: Crvena Zvezda (A) – kick-off 5.45 pm
What’s next?
Manchester city face rivals Man Utd at Old Trafford Super Sundaylive on Air sports; starting at 3:30 PM.
Meanwhile, Young Boys travels to Lugano on Sunday; starting at 3:30 PM.