Haaland Brace Powers Man City Past Porto in Champions League Opener

Erling Haaland scored twice in the second half to guide Manchester City to a 2-0 away win over FC Porto in their opening UEFA Champions League fixture at the Dragao Stadium on Tuesday night, kicking off Enzo Maresca’s continental campaign as City’s new boss in style.

Cherki Cross Sets Up Breakthrough

Maresca made his European bow as City manager by opting for Enzo Fernandez over club-record signing Elliot Anderson, while Antoine Semenyo and Phil Foden lined up either side of Haaland, with Ryan Cherki operating just behind the frontline. Despite creating a host of chances, City were repeatedly denied by an inspired Diogo Costa in the Porto goal before finally breaking through 90 seconds into the second half via a downward header from Cherki’s delivery.

Haaland Matches Club Landmark

Haaland then put the result beyond doubt, converting a pass from Rayan Aït-Nouri to notch his 59th Champions League goal in as many appearances. The brace also took his tally for Manchester City in the competition to 36, drawing him level with Sergio Aguero’s club record and extending Maresca’s unbeaten start to the new season.

Elsewhere in Tuesday’s action, Real Madrid capitalised on two first-half defensive errors to beat Inter Milan 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu, with goals from Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde giving Jose Mourinho a winning start to his tenure as Real head coach in Europe.

Other results saw Borussia Dortmund defeat Villarreal 3-2, Real Betis beat Lille 2-3, AEK Athens edge past LASK Linz 1-0, and Aston Villa overcome Club Brugge 2-3.