Manchester City advanced to the UEFA Champions League last 16 with a 3-0 victory against Young Boys, thanks to two goals from Erling Haaland and one from Phil Foden. City has a perfect record in Group G, but they may still be overtaken by RB Leipzig, who also won qualifying on Tuesday with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Crvena Zvezda.
Manchester City advanced to the UEFA Champions League last 16 with a 3-0 home win against Young Boys, thanks to Erling Haaland’s brace.
The Norwegian striker was a doubt heading into the game after being forced off early against Bournemouth the previous weekend, but he showed no signs of a problem as he calmly converted a penalty in the 23rd minute to open the score.
The hosts were in command throughout, and Phil Foden extended their lead on the stroke of half-time when he ran past his marker on the right before calmly stroking a low shot into the far corner.
Haaland scored his second of the game just after the intermission with a 25-yard blast, bringing his season total to 15.
Young Boys’ agony was exacerbated minutes later when they were reduced to ten men due to Sandro Lauper’s second yellow card.
Man City had chances to extend their lead, but they couldn’t convert as the game entered the last half-hour.
The result ensures that The Citizens will finish first in Group G with two games to spare provided they avoid loss at home to RB Leipzig on Matchday 5.
On Sunday, Man City will travel to Chelsea in the Premier League. On Saturday, Young Boys will play Luzern in the Swiss Super League.
TALKING POINT - HAALAND'S RESPONSE TO THE BALLON d'OR CHALLENGE AND THE CONTINUATION OF THE IMPERIAL CITY
When the draw for the group stage was announced, very few observers thought the holders would have any problem moving – and so it has proven.
They can now ‘park the vehicle’ till the New Year, as Pep phrased it in his pre-match press conference, and concentrate on the Premier League and the next FIFA Club World Cup.
It was a hectic evening for Haaland, who had a lot crammed into his hour-long spell on the field.
The City striker’s reaction to a challenge in which the Chelsea veteran challenged him to duplicate his or Gary Lineker’s famous salute after scoring was a cool spot kick followed by an impersonation of Didier Drogba’s old goal celebration.
At halftime, he was captured on tape stating, ‘you can’t do this,’ as he grudgingly handed his jersey to Mohamed Ali Camara.
It was too early in the Norwegian’s opinion, and he presumably felt the same way about his withdrawal on the hour, which cost him a hat-trick.
Into the last 16 ✅
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 7, 2023
Defending champions Manchester City have qualified from their Champions League group after just four matches 👊💥 pic.twitter.com/fHPCG7sinE
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - ERLING HAALAND (MAN CITY)
The striker scored his mandatory UEFA Champions League goals in little over an hour of action, putting to rest any concerns over a knock that also resulted in a Bournemouth blank. He seems to be back in the swing, and the additional half-hour of rest means he should be eager for the weekend showdown against Chelsea.
PLAYER RATINGS
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
23’ – GOAL! Man City 1-0 Young Boys(Haaland): Haaland walks up to take the penalty and calmly places his low shot into the corner to beat the goalie.
45+1’ – GOAL! Man City 2-0 Young Boys (Foden): After receiving a pass from right winger Grealish, Foden breaks free of his defender and calmly slots the ball into the far corner of the goal.
52’ – GOAL! Man City 3-0 Young Boys (Haaland): Haaland adds to his night’s score with a fantastic 25-yard shot into the far corner after turning on Lewis’ ball.
53’ – YOUNG BOYS RED CARD! Sandro Lauper receives his second warning when he challenges Ake in a vicious manner. YB now have just 10 guys left.
KEY STATS
- In 34 games played in the UEFA Champions League, Halland has scored 39 goals.
- Manchester City is the 12th club in UEFA Champions League history to score 250 goals; they did it in less games than any other team (119).