Erling Haaland struck twice as Manchester City dispatched Porto 2-0 at the Estadio do Dragao in their Champions League curtain-raiser on Tuesday evening.
The Norwegian forward nodded Enzo Fernandez’s delivery into the net via the far post early in the second half before sliding home a late second in stoppage time.
His brace took his Champions League tally for City to 36 goals in just 40 outings.
The double also carried personal significance, propelling Haaland past Tommy Johnson’s total of 166 goals to climb to third on City’s all-time scoring charts — a remarkable feat given he has been at the club for little more than four years.
Erling Haaland scored twice against Porto as City ran out 2-0 winners
|
GETTY
It was a thoroughly dominant display from Enzo Maresca’s side, who controlled proceedings throughout in Portugal.
Porto’s goalkeeper Diogo Costa was the standout performer before the interval, producing a string of outstanding saves to keep his side level. He twice thwarted Haaland with sharp reflex stops and also denied efforts from Antoine Semenyo and Phil Foden.
Francesco Farioli’s team, despite entering the match on the back of six consecutive domestic victories, were unable to muster a single attempt on goal during the opening 45 minutes.
Tempers flared as the half drew to a close. Marc Guehi’s tackle on Gabri Veiga left the Porto midfielder floored, sparking fury among the home side.
The disagreement spilled over into the tunnel, where players and coaching staff from both clubs became embroiled in a confrontation as they headed for the dressing rooms.
A fracas broke out late into the game after Marc Guehi’s tackle on Gabri Veiga
|
GETTY
City emerged from the break with renewed focus and wasted little time breaking the deadlock. Rayan Cherki played a key role in keeping a promising move alive, feeding the ball to Fernandez, who delivered a hanging cross towards the back post.
Haaland met it perfectly, directing his header back across Costa and in off the woodwork to give the visitors a deserved advantage.
Porto enjoyed their strongest spell immediately after conceding. A clearance from Gianluigi Donnarumma struck William Gomes, but the deflection drifted agonisingly wide of the post. Alan Varela also curled an effort narrowly off target.
The hosts never truly threatened an equaliser, however, and Haaland put the result beyond doubt in added time. Substitute Rayan Ait Nouri swung in a cross from the left, and the striker slid a low finish past Costa.
The venue held painful memories for City supporters, who watched their side lose the 2021 Champions League final to Chelsea on this very ground. Under Pep Guardiola, the club’s European form had deteriorated markedly, with six defeats in their final nine away fixtures on the continent.
Enzo Maresca claimed victory in his first Champions League match as City boss
|
GETTY
Maresca’s arrival has brought an immediate upturn, with this result extending his winning start to four matches from four across all competitions, following three successive Premier League triumphs.
Teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi caught the eye on his first City start, impressing alongside Fernandez in midfield.
Attention now turns to the Manchester derby this weekend, with City carrying considerable momentum into the fixture.
Porto’s poor record against English opposition continued — they have managed just two victories in their last 17 such encounters in European competition.
