FC Copenhagen 1-3 Man City: Phil Foden scores important third to earn two-goal advantage in Champions League last-16 tie

Phil Foden struck an vital injury-time aim to place Manchester Metropolis in command of their Champions League last-16 tie with a 3-1 victory over Copenhagen.

Metropolis prolonged their unbeaten run in Europe to 21 matches and can return to the Etihad on March 6 for the second leg, in between essential Premier League fixtures towards Manchester United and Liverpool, each stay on Sky Sports activities, to proceed their title defence.

Kevin De Bruyne struck the opener after simply 10 minutes amid a dominant begin which ought to have seen them additional forward earlier than Jack Grealish went off injured and an Ederson mistake allowed Copenhagen’s Magnus Mattsson to equalise.

However Bernardo Silva struck in added time of the primary half to revive their lead and after Erling Haaland had hit the crossbar, and been denied by goalkeeper Kamil Grabara, Foden netted within the 92nd minute to maneuver Metropolis nearer to the quarter-finals.

How Man Metropolis beat Copenhagen

Man Metropolis may have scored twice within the opening 10 minutes earlier than De Bruyne gave them the lead. The midfielder glanced a header large when properly positioned within the field earlier than Nathan Ake hooked over from shut vary, however De Bruyne quickly clinically fired throughout the goalkeeper and into the underside left nook from a decent angle.

Metropolis had over 80 per cent possession in a dominant opening 20 minutes however have been dealt a blow when Grealish was pressured off and have been then inside inches of a second as Copenhagen centre-back Denis Vavro headed towards his personal crossbar.

Ederson had barely touched the ball till he gifted the hosts a means again into the sport. The goalkeeper performed a stray go out to Mohamed Elyounoussi and the ricochet from his blocked shot was curled house from the sting of the field by debutant Mattsson.

Mattsson then volleyed over from contained in the Metropolis space earlier than being concerned in a lucky second for the guests. In a sort out with De Bruyne, the ball ricocheted completely via to Silva, who flicked it previous the goalkeeper.

Metropolis began the second half slowly, discovering alternatives more durable to return by with solely De Bruyne’s shot from exterior the world having to be tipped round the best publish.

Ake needed to be alert to clear Elyounoussi’s cross which substitute Andreas Cornelius was ready to show house earlier than Grabara flung to his left to parry Jeremy Doku’s highly effective effort.

Metropolis pushed onerous for a 3rd within the closing quarter-hour, seeing Haaland denied on three events with a deflected header putting the crossbar earlier than Grabara saved twice. The goalkeeper, although, was lastly overwhelmed once more as De Bruyne pulled the ball again from the byline for Foden to fit.

Guardiola: At the moment was excellent – I am proud

Manchester Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola chatting with TNT Sports activities:

“Actually, actually good, so proud. It was vital. At the moment was excellent. They have been affected person in the best moments. Actually good. I am actually happy with the group. The third aim helped us so much. Hopefully, we are able to end it off at house and go to the following sport.

“It was vital to not lose the tie right here. The sport was rather well performed from the primary minute. We conceded a aim however typically that occurs.

“Within the second half, they performed with 5 within the again however basically we did properly. We did not concede transitions or make the group assist the group… We had the proper tempo so actually happy.”

On Kevin De Bruyne’s affect since returning: “Yeah, extraordinary. The primary aim was superb, the best go and tempo from Phil Foden. The most important gamers seem on the most important levels. It is the hour of fact. We began properly. We have now to do our job and end it. I am simply actually happy for the outcome.”

De Bruyne: I am comfortable and feeling good

Manchester Metropolis midfielder Kevin De Bruyne spoke to TNT Sports activities after scoring and producing one help:

“I am simply attempting to play good. It has been a protracted 5 – 6 months however I am simply comfortable to be again, serving to the group win video games and be at my finest.

“I really feel alright. Clearly, I nonetheless want a pair extra video games and minutes. I’ve not performed 90 minutes for nearly a 12 months however I am getting there, I am feeling good and the extent is nice sufficient for the second – so I am comfortable.”

Opta Stats: De Bruyne shines in knockout levels once more

Manchester Metropolis have now received every of their final 11 video games in all competitions, their longest such run since a 21-game run between December 2020 and March 2021.Manchester Metropolis grew to become the primary aspect in UEFA Champions League historical past to attain 3+ objectives in seven successive video games, whereas they’re simply the third group to take action in 4 successive away video games within the competitors after Barcelona in February 2012 and FC Bayern München in February 2020.Because the begin of 2019-20, Manchester Metropolis’s Kevin De Bruyne (10) is simply the fourth participant to attain at the least 10 objectives within the knockout levels of the UEFA Champions League after Karim Benzema (17), Erling Haaland (13) and Robert Lewandowski (11).FC København’s Magnus Mattsson grew to become simply the second participant in UEFA Champions League historical past to make his debut within the knockout levels and subsequently rating towards the reigning champions after Leroy Sané for FC Schalke 04 towards Actual Madrid in March 2015.

What’s subsequent?

Man Metropolis are again in Premier League motion at house to Chelsea on Saturday Evening Soccer, stay on Sky Sports activities Premier League, with protection starting at 5pm and kick off at 5.30pm.

Monday twelfth February 6:30pm

Their second leg with Copenhagen on the Etihad is on Wednesday March 6.