Phil Foden lit up the Etihad with a dazzling double and Erling Haaland haunted his old club as Manchester City swept aside Borussia Dortmund to tighten their grip on the Champions League group. Pep Guardiola’s side remain unbeaten after four games and their third win lifts them to fourth place, closing in on automatic qualification for the last 16.
Dortmund came flying out of the blocks under Nico Kovac and looked dangerous in the opening exchanges, but City’s class soon told. Two goals in seven blistering minutes of the first half tore the heart out of the German side and left the visitors chasing shadows.
Foden, sharp and inventive throughout, tested Gregor Kobel early with a fierce drive from distance before forcing another save with a bending free kick. On his third attempt, the Stockport-born star finally broke through in the 22nd minute. Picking up the ball on the edge of the area, he sized up the defenders, coolly rolled his shot low into the far corner and sent the Etihad wild. It was his first Champions League goal in a year and a moment that summed up his growing maturity on Europe’s biggest stage.
City smelled blood and went hunting for more. Nico O’Reilly was denied by Kobel from close range, but the pressure was relentless. Haaland, inevitably, got in on the act seven minutes later. When Jeremy Doku darted down the wing and cut the ball back, the Norwegian machine smashed it home with ruthless precision. It was his fifth consecutive Champions League goal and another reminder of why defenders dread facing him. He has now scored in five straight games in the competition for three different clubs, RB Salzburg, Dortmund and City, a record that speaks volumes about his deadly consistency.
Tijjani Reijnders saw a thunderous effort beaten away by Kobel as City continued to dominate, and after the break, the hosts turned the screw again. In the 57th minute, Foden curled home a majestic second to make it 3-0 and effectively kill off the contest. The home fans sang his name as Dortmund wilted under the relentless pressure.
The visitors did manage a late consolation when Waldemar Anton scrambled in from a Julian Ryerson cross, but it did little to change the story. Substitute Rayan Cherki restored the three-goal cushion in stoppage time with a clever solo run and tidy finish.
City were slick, ruthless and confident. With Foden pulling the strings and Haaland doing what he does best, Guardiola’s men look every bit like Champions League contenders once again.