Porto 0-2 Manchester City: Haaland double gives Maresca winning Champions League start
· Yahoo Sports
Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City opened their UEFA Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win over Porto at the Estádio do Dragão.
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The Manchester City striker headed in Enzo Fernández’s cross two minutes after half-time before adding a second in stoppage time from Rayan Aït-Nouri’s cut-back. Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa had kept the hosts level with several first-half saves, but City eventually converted their control into a comfortable opening-night victory for Enzo Maresca.
As it happened
Manchester City dominated possession from the opening stages, but Porto initially restricted them to efforts from distance. Antoine Semenyo registered the visitors’ first shot in the 16th minute, although Costa dealt with it comfortably.
City began creating clearer chances as the half developed. Phil Foden lifted the ball into the six-yard area for Haaland in the 21st minute, but Costa produced a sharp reflex save to deny the Norwegian’s header.
Costa was called upon again eight minutes later to push away Foden’s first-time effort, before making a double save in the 32nd minute. The Porto goalkeeper first stopped Haaland and then reacted quickly to keep out Rayan Cherki’s follow-up.
The visitors finally went ahead in the 47th minute. Cherki kept the attack alive near the byline before finding Fernández, whose clipped cross was met by Haaland. His header travelled back across goal, struck the post and crossed the line.
Porto responded with their best spell of the match. Alan Varela curled narrowly wide from the edge of the area, while Gianluigi Donnarumma was fortunate when his attempted pass was blocked by William Gomes and deflected wide.
City had opportunities to make the game safe, with Jakub Kiwior blocking Iliman Ndiaye’s shot and Aït-Nouri firing narrowly wide. Porto continued to push without seriously testing Donnarumma.
Haaland settled the result in the first minute of stoppage time. Aït-Nouri reached the left byline and pulled the ball back into the six-yard area, where the striker guided a first-time finish past Costa for his second of the night.