Man City 3-0 Young Boys: Erling Haaland sends treble winners into Champions League last 16

Erling Haaland brushed off injury concerns to secure Manchester City’s place in the Champions League last 16 as he scored twice in a 3-0 win over Young Boys at the Etihad.

Haaland recovered after twisting his ankle in Saturday's 6-1 thrashing of Bournemouth in the Premier League and opened the scoring for last season's treble winners from the penalty spot after 23 minutes.

Phil Foden doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time after a graceful run before Haaland struck from 25 yards six minutes into the second period to seal City's fourth victory from four in Group G.

Haaland's 39th goal in 34 Champions League games was swiftly followed by a red card for the Swiss side's midfielder Sandro Lauper. City can confirm top spot with a point against RB Leipzig in their next game.

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Injuries to John Stones and Manuel Akanji were the only negatives on an otherwise perfect evening for City. Guardiola told TNT Sports after the game that Stones, who was taken off at half-time, would be out for a while.

City progress to the knockout phase of the Champions League for the 11th season running with Tuesday night's win which was their 18th game in a row without defeat in the competition. That sets a new record for longest unbeaten run by an English side in Europe, surpassing West Ham.

How City reached the last 16 with two games to spare

The build-up to Tuesday's game was dominated by the fitness of Haaland. But the striker was deemed healthy enough to start in an early blow to Young Boys, who were going in search of their first win on English soil.

City, who are now unbeaten in their last 28 Champions League matches at the Etihad, bossed the game from the off and should have taken the lead six minutes in through 18-year-old Rico Lewis. His tame effort was blocked on the line by defender Loris Benito.

The treble winners were banging on the door as Kyle Walker, a late addition to the line-up after an injury to Manuel Akanji in the warm-up, had a free-kick well saved by Anthony Racioppi. Foden perhaps should have scored on the follow-up but was also denied.

City's breakthrough came after Lauper tripped Matheus Nunes in the box to give Haaland a penalty midway through the half. The 23-year-old sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to open the scoring.

Guardiola became agitated as City took their foot off the gas but the hosts always looked in control. Foden put his manager at ease just before the break as he met Jack Grealish's pass and glided past Ulisses Garcia to make it 2-0 with a splendid finish.

Haaland was asked to swap shirts by Young Boys captain Mohamed Ali Camara as they walked off at half-time which drew the ire of Keith Curle, the former Manchester City defender, in the Sky Sports News studio.

"If I was a player and another one came in with a souvenir for the game, I would be raging," he said.

Haaland put the game out of reach with a wonder strike - just his second from outside the box for City - soon after the game resumed, hitting the ball back across the goal to find the top corner. He now has 67 goals in 60 games for the club.

Young Boys lost all hope when Lauper was sent off after receiving a second yellow for a late challenge on Nathan Ake that was probably deserving of a straight red.

Guardiola took off Haaland before he could score a hat-trick electing to rest his top scorer ahead of Sunday's trip to Chelsea - live on Sky Sports. City had enough chances to finish with five but it did not matter as Young Boys failed to register a shot all game.

City, the Champions League holders, secured their place in the knockout phase for the 11th season in a row with two games to spare and are now within touching distance of claiming top spot.

Guardiola: I feel so sorry for Stones

Man City manager Guardiola said Stones is "a big loss for us" after revealing the defender would be out for a while with a recurrence of an injury that he has struggled with already this season.

"I feel so sorry for him because he's so incredibly professional and his commitment again. It is a big loss for us. John is so important for what he does but he will recover and the season is long and he will be back stronger.

Asked if Stones will be out for a while, Guardiola said: "Yeah I think so."

Guardiola also said City's job in Group G was not done yet as he stressed the importance of finishing top ahead of German side RB Leipzig.

"Of course we are incredibly happy to have qualified with two games left," he added. "Finish first. We have time to think about it.

"We were not soft enough in the last moment to score more goals. But I love to see the team.

"The word that defines this group of players for many years is the consistency. We have high standards and that is why we are still in the Premier League up there and qualified from the Champions League.

"People say 'yeah, the group stage, it is easy', but you have to do it. In life, you have to do it when people expect you to do it. Two games left. Leipzig are the toughest opponents in this group and we have to try and finish further. It is important in the last 16 to have the weapon of the second game at home rather than away."

Opta stats: Man City keep breaking records

Manchester City are now unbeaten in their last 18 European games (W12 D6), the outright longest run without defeat for an English side across all European competitions (incl. qualifiers), eclipsing West Ham's run of 17 between August 2022 - October 2023.
City's third goal this evening scored by Erling Haaland was their 250th in the UEFA Champions League becoming the 12th side to reach this milestone in the competitions and the fastest to do so (119 games).
Erling Haaland has scored 67 goals in 70 appearances for Manchester City across all competitions (12 penalties), with his second goal today just his third from outside the box for the the club.
Phil Foden has been involved in 19 goals across his last 21 starts for Manchester City at the Etihad (12 goals, 7 assists), scoring (2) or assisting (3) in five of his last six home starts.