Tonight Manchester City seemed to be a “one trick pony” and it is Erling Braut Haaland who can still score goals even though he has cut off his angel hair.
Erling Haaland scored two goals in the second half to secure Manchester City an unconvincing but effective 2-0 victory over Porto in the Champions League opener. – On our Live service you can see all the statistics from the match.
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Haaland’s header early in the second half gave City a decisive lead, before the goal-scoring Norwegian scored his second from close range and finally punctuated the game. But that only happened after the visitors from Manchester had had to endure a lot of pressure from the hosts in Portugal.
Still, it ended with three points and another clean sheet for City. Thus, the team continues its perfect start under Enzo Maresca – although the new manager will probably want far better play going forward.
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Costa saved Porto in the first half
Manchester City created their first big chance in the 21st minute. Phil Foden’s clever moves opened up space for Erling Haaland, but the finish was stopped by a great hand from Diogo Costa.
Three minutes later, Haaland had another opportunity when he met a fresh cross, but the ball came a little behind him, and the header went to no avail.
Foden tested Costa again in the 29th minute, but the Porto goalkeeper was able to fend off the attempt.
City came closest to scoring in the 31st minute. Bouaddi finished beautifully inside the box, and Rayan Cherki was also involved in the attack. Haaland’s shot was saved by Costa, and Cherki’s rebound was also cleared away.
After just half an hour, Costa had been in action five times. His saves on finishes from Haaland, Foden and Cherki kept City from scoring – and the Porto goalkeeper was undoubtedly the reason why the score was 0-0 at half-time.
Haaland was crucial for an unstable City
After the frustration of the first half, Haaland needed less than two minutes to score in the second. The Norwegian rose highest and headed debutant Enzo Fernández’s cross into the net via the post – his 58th Champions League goal. Champions League goal.
But City were far from comfortable in the game. The hosts reminded them of the danger when Alan Varela fired a shot just wide of the post from the edge of the sixteen-yard box.
Gianluigi Donnarumma was lucky when he was sloppy with a rebound, and William Gomes blocked the ball – which happened to bounce off target.
Porto continued to press a City team that looked far from safe. Substitute Seko Fofana gave the hosts new energy and momentum with their raids from midfield.
Just when it looked like City were going to fight their way to a narrow victory, Haaland made sure the points went home. He was perfectly placed and steered Rayan Aït-Nouri’s cross into the net.
