Manchester City secured their passage to the knockout stages of the Champions League courtesy of a 3-0 win over Young Boys on Tuesday.
The result continues the European champions’ 100 percent record in the competition this season, and means their winning run at home stretches to 23 matches. It was wrapped up with relative comfort as Erling Haaland netted a brace for City, before being replaced after an hour, with Phil Foden also got on the scoresheet.
City started well, with goalkeeper Anthony Racioppi called into action several times in the first quarter of the game. The Swiss stopper kept out Haaland’s strike from a tight angle, and two shots from Kyle Walker and Foden within a few seconds of each other. On the one occasion Racioppi was beaten in the opening stages, the recovering run of Loris Benito kept out Rico Lewis’ goal-bound shot.
But Racioppi couldn’t deny Haaland from the spot in the 23rd minute, as the Norwegian confidently converted his penalty after Matheus Nunes was tripped in the box.
It could have been two soon after, but Haaland failed to connect properly with Kyle Walker’s cross into the back post. That proved inconsequential in the overall scheme of the match, as Foden’s goal in first-half injury-time ensured there was no real jeopardy after the break. City’s no.47 latched on to a Jack Grealish pass, drove into the opposition area and then curled a shot superbly into the bottom corner.
It was much of the same after the break, with City dominating possession and testing Racioppi, via Jack Grealish and Foden, who both cut inside and shot on target in the early stages of the second period.
A third goal felt inevitable, and it was no surprise when Haaland rifled one from distance into the back of the net. The striker’s dribble and then swivel at the edge of the box created a gap for him to send a thunderous shot towards goal - Racioppi had no chance this time.
An unevenly matched contest became even more one-sided when Sandro Lauper was dismissed after picking up two yellow cards. The second alone could have been a red, as he flew into a challenge and caught Nathan Ake.
City did search for a fourth with Kovacic and Kalvin Phillips both firing efforts of target, while Nunes somehow failed to convert from a few yards out as the ball flashed across goal and he placed it wide. Jeremy Doku had the last chance of note, but it was saved once again by the Young Boys stopper.
The 3-0 win means City have now won 100 European matches and set a new record for an English side of 18 games unbeaten in Europe. Here's how we rated the players...
1. Ederson- 6
Didn't have a save to make, on a night when Ederson could have brought his duvet and a book.
2. Kyle Walker- 6 (off 61)
Didn't have much to deal with down his side, and was replaced after an hour, presumably with Sunday's game in mind.
3. John Stones- 7 (off 46)
Defended well and pushed into midfield when City hand possession.
4. Ruben Dias- 7
Like Stones, was solid at the back and made some good tackles at the Etihad.