Man City 3-1 FC Copenhagen (agg 6-2) – Champions League: Live score, team news and updates as Erling Haaland finishes superbly for his 29th goal of the season
The youngster comes on for his first appearance in the Champions League for Manchester City.
He comes on for Erling Haaland, he will remember this day for the rest of his life.
YELLOW CARD: Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg 6-2) (Cornelius)
Cornelius is shown yellow for a high boot on Manuel Akanji.
It came after Roony Bardghji tried an audacious overhead kick, but he completely misses the ball.
I reckon the landing must have hurt, maybe not as much as Ankanji was hurting after the challenge.
Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg 6-2)
Mohamed Elyounoussi is involved once again, but he can’t get a shot away as Manuel Akanji manages to put him off as he is in on goal.
The Copenhagen fans are still bouncing and to be fair to their side, they have arguably been the better side in this second half.
Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg 6-2)
That’s a half-chance for the visitors.
Magnus Mattsson has been very good since coming on for Copenhagen and has just had a shot deflected wide.
Mohamed Elyounoussi then has a pop from distance following the corner, but it rises high over the bar.
It would be nice for the Danes if they could grab another goal, wouldn’t it?
Rio Ferdinand: ‘I never got substituted for it
Rio Ferdinand speaking on TNT Sports about when he dislocated his finger:
Being the hard man I was, I never got substituted for it!
OUCH! Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg 6-2)
Oooooo… that’s got to hurt.
It looks like Matheus Nunes has dislocated his finger, and sadly we just saw the picture of it – not pretty.
Sadly, I’ve had that happen to me before when I was at school, well, I broke it not dislocated it. It still hurt though.
Nunes is now coming off for Micah Hamilton, it looks like his finger has been put back in place. Nasty.
Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg 6-2)
Magnus Mattsson does get his chance and forces a good save by Ederson.
Moments later John Stones comes on for Ruben Dias, not a bad substitution to be able to make.
Rasmus Hojlund’s little brother, Oscar, has also come on for Copenhagen.
GOAL!!! Real Madrid 1-1 RB Leipzig (Orban 68′)
Why does this always happen, I’m sorry Real Madrid fans, but we now have a game on!
Willi Orban stoops low, extends his neck, and heads home to give RB Leipzig hope.
It’s just got interesting.
GOAL!!! Real Madrid 1-0 RB Leipzig (Vini jr 65′)
Real Madrid fans can relax.
It’s lovely play from Jude Bellingham who slides through Vinicius JR to finish emphatically.
That should be that now, It’s tough to see RB Leipzig coming back from here.
Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg 6-2)
You don’t see Manchester City give the ball away often, but they did in a dangerous position there!
They make a mess of it at the back and it ends with Orri Oskarsson coming just inches away from getting on the end of a brilliant cross.
It was a tough chance though!
Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg 6-2)
Both sides just need to shoot.
There have been four shots on target in the whole match from both sides combined, all have ended in the back of the net.
It’s rare, but makes a pretty cool stat.
SUBSTITUTION: Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg 6-2)
Roony Bardghji, the youngster who netted against Manchester United, is coming on for Copenhagen. He is an exciting young talent so this could be fun.
Magnus Mattsson is also on, Imagine he cracks one in from distance again, just like he did in the first leg.
Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg 6-2)
Another strike from Man City, this time from substitute Sergio Gomez.
Once again, a Copenhagen body is in the way of this one. Is their aim going to be to secure a clean sheet in this half?
they look more solid, although it might be because City are just chilling.
Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg 6-2)
At least the Copenhagen fans are having fun.
No matter what happens here, they will be dancing all night. When I think of this night, I will always remember them waving their scarves.
Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg 6-2)
Erling Haaland goes for goal but his effort is blocked.
That is the first meaningful thing Man City have done this half, they don’t have any urgency out there.
I guess they don’t need it, maybe the players don’t want to get injured?
Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg 6-2)
Slow start to the second half by City, they nearly concede straight from the restart.
However, after nearly making a boob, Ederson keeps hold of the ball.
SECOND HALF
Both games have kicked off again.
Let’s see how many Manchester City can get tonight, I hope they put their foot on the pedal a bit more after the break.
Sergio Gomez has come on for Manchester City as Rodri is given a rest before this weekend.
Also, will Real Madrid extend their lead, or can Leipzig come back?
‘When things feel that easy intensity drops’
Jack Gaughan, Mail Sport, at the Etihad Stadium:
The Etihad lulled. At one point, City had the ball for an entire five minutes without their visitors touching it. And the trouble is, when things feel that easy then the intensity and will drops – even in the interim.
City extend record run
Erling Haaland’s goal in stoppage time means that City have now scored three or more goals in eight consecutive Champions League matches.
They already had the record after the first leg, but extending it is pretty impressive.
How many games will it get to?
Copenhagen support on top form
They may be losing and almost certainly going out, but Copenhagens fans are having an absolute ball at the Etihad.
They were loud before the goal, but once the Danish side scored they went bananas!
It looks like a lot of fun in there, just look at the photos.
HALF-TIME: Man City 3-1 Copenhagen
The whistle shortly follows the celebrations.
The scoreline may suggest otherwise but this has not been the best game to watch.
City killed the game inside nine minutes by netting two goals, not that anyone was expecting Copenhagen to come back.
However, Copenhagen got their moment because of Mohamed Elyounoussi, who netted a fabulous goal.
Erling Haaland got his customary goal, but I must admit, other tan their three goals I wouldn’t say Man City have been truly impressive.
It doesn’t matter though.
GOAL!!! Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (Haaland 45+3′)
What a lovely near-post finish by Erling Haaland.
Just as half-time approaches, Haaland restores the two-goal lead for City in typical fashion.
He cuts inside before pulling it back across Kumil Grabara.
He always gets his goal, that’s 10 in his last eight appearances now, a scary statistic.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 0-0 RB Leipzig
The lack of updates in this one tells you everything you need to know.
To be fair to RB Leipzig, they have had some decent moments, they are not going down without a fight.
Real Madrid will need to be careful in the second half, they only have a one-goal advantage!
Let’s hope for better after the break.
Man City 2-1 Copenhagen (agg 5-2)
That’s a brilliant clearance by Scott McKenna.
The former Nottingham Forest centre-back is forced to clear it two yards out due to Kamil Grabara missing the ball entirely.
Erling Haaland was waiting for a tap-in if he hadn’t cleared it, but the offside flag went up anyway.
FAN COMMENT: ‘The whole of Europe is behind Copenhagen’
Anonymous: Come on Copenhagen, the whole of Europe is behind you!
It seems our comment section wants an extraordinary comeback to happen.
It would be a better comeback than Istanbul if they manage it, so, I’d say it’s unlikely.
Man City 2-1 Copenhagen (agg 5-2)
The answer to my previous question to you is, simply to pass it around.
Manchester City have decided to take the sting out of this game, it isn’t the most entertaining.
Is it time for me to crack some jokes to make it exciting?
Man City 2-1 Copenhagen (agg 5-2)
Copenhagen are making a real go of it now.
You can tell that goal has given them a lot of confidence, they are flowing forward now.
The Copenhagen fans have now taken their support up a notch, I didn’t think that was possible.
GOAL!!! Man City 2-1 Copenhagen (Elyounoussi 29′)
That is a beautiful goal and it’s nearly all because of Mohamed Elyounoussi – individual brilliance.
He simply just runs at Manchester City from his own half and then does a cheeky give-and-go with Orri Oskarsson before calmly sliding it past Ederson.
I must say, it was a lovely back heel by Oskarsson to set up the goal.
The Copenhagen fans loved that, they went mental. It’s another match without a clean sheet by Manchester City.
Man City 2-0 Copenhagen (agg 5-1)
As is to be expected, I wrote a post praising Copenhagen and they haven’t touched the ball since…
I would say I will keep my mouth shut, but it’s my job to do the opposite!
Anyway, Manchester City are playing like they are training, it looks so easy out there.
‘They used to say Pep didn’t have a plan B!’
Joe Bernstein, Mail Sport, at the Etihad Stadium:
They used to say Pep didn’t have a plan B but the way his team has morphed from small tiki-takkers to physical powerhouses has borne fruit again with both early goals tonight coming from set-pieces. You’d expect a Scandinavian team to deal with them – but Copenhagen can’t.
Man City 2-0 Copenhagen (agg 5-1)
Harry Bamforth jinx incoming…
Copenhagen have been playing some nice football in the last few minutes, Manchester City have had to do a bit of defending – I can’t believe it either!
You know what will happen now, City will get their third because I said that.
Man City 2-0 Copenhagen (agg 5-1)
They finally get forward and force a corner, something I wasn’t sure I would see after the first 10 minutes.
The corner then arrives at the boot of William Clem, his name is in lights, he goes for glory and… it goes miles over the bar.
Not the best strike he will ever produce.
Man City 2-0 Copenhagen (agg 5-1)
I fear for my fingers tonight, I could be typing a lot about goals.
Manchester City has all the ball and look like they will continue to go at Copenhagen all night.
They are in again, but nothing comes of it. I think my prediction was too tame for this one.
GOAL!!! Man City 2-0 Copenhagen (Alvarez 9′)
That is an absolute clanger by Kamil Grabara.
Julian Alvarez grabs a second of the night for City before we have even reached the 10-minute mark, and this one is down to a huge goalkeeping blunder.
The Argentinian striker whipped in a shot from the lefthand side which was straight at Grabara, but it goes straight through his hands.
You worry about Copenhagen now. I was covering the Sheffield United vs Arsenal game on Monday night, and this is very similar to that.
Man City 1-0 Copenhagen (agg 4-1)
This happened to me a lot last night.
Every time I would put my opinion in a post, Bayern would go and make something happen.
I couldn’t even press send on my first post of the game before City did it tonight.
GOAL!!! Man City 1-0 Copenhagen (Akanji 5′)
I had literally just written a post saying it had been a slow opening five minutes to the game and was seconds away from clicking post.
However, Manuel Akanji found the back of the net just in time, it was a great finish by the Swiss defender.
The corner comes in and he simply bends his leg around his marker to sweep the ball home.
Any hope Copenhagen had of a comeback has evaporated within five minutes.
KICK-OFF
We are underway at both the Etihad and the Bernabeu.
The City fans seem very happy that Erling Haaland is starting, there is a huge cheer when his name is called out.
However, Copenhagen’s fans are very loud and trying to drown them out – I love listening to European away fans when they are bouncing.
Light show time!
Right now, we are just under five minutes away from kick-off.
You know what that means, it’s light show time at the Etihad. A lot of stadiums are adopting these methods to hype up the crowd.
I’m not sure about them. What I will say though is that it worked at the Emirates when I last went there – it got the ground bouncing.
Rio Ferdinand: ‘It will be a really professional job by City’
Rio Ferdinand, 2008 Champions League winner, speaking on TNT Sports:
The mentality that we used to have [at Man United], and I’m sure City will have, is ‘let’s blow these guys away early’.
It will be a really professional job by City, but there will be one eye on the weekend.
Gvardiol returns to start
Look who is back in Manchester City’s starting 11.
Josko Gvardiol has had to watch from the sidelines for the last few weeks due to an ankle injury, but he returns tonight.
He has yet to hit his stride in a City shirt, but tonight is a good chance for him to show what he is about as he eases back into the City set-up.
‘The Copenhagen fans are in early and making themselves heard’
Jack Gaughan, Mail Sport, at the Etihad Stadium:
The Copenhagen fans are in early and making themselves heard here at the Etihad. They were shepherded towards the away end around two-and-a-half hours before kick off after presumably spending most of the afternoon in every away fan’s designated pub, the Oyster Bar next to the Arndale Centre.
Guardiola’s made a number of changes, with two teenagers starting, as City look to qualify for the last eight for the seventh consecutive campaign.
Predictions?
It’s one of my favourite times of the evening, prediction time.
Will City cruise through to the last eight, or will Copenhagen put up a strong fight? Can Real Madrid carry on their impressive Round of 16 record?
I’m going to predict both matches tonight, just because I feel like it.
My predictions: 2-0 Manchester City and 3-1 Real Madrid.
Can Copenhagen upset the apple cart?
Copenhagen have arrived at the Etihad.
Nobody is expecting too much of them tonight, the pressure is very much off the Danish side.
However, can they cause a shock tonight and leave Manchester City bruised? (check the sub-heading)
Can City win a second consecutive Champions League title?
What do you guys think, will City win the European Cup once again this season?
No one will want to face them, but I believe Real Madrid are their closest threat, and maybe even Arsenal if they can complete a turnaround against Porto.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Pep Guardiola: ‘I have a lot of respect for Copenhagen’
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City boss, speaking in yesterday’s press conference:
In football, details make the difference. Everything can happen. We concede a goal in the 85th minute … concede two, we have to go to extra time.
I have a lot of respect for Copenhagen. They defend, they have a good system … they’re really well organised.
City’s crazy UCL unbeaten run
Manchester City are loving life in the Champions League at the moment.
Whatever they do, whoever they face, when it’s a European night they almost always end it with a victory.
With their first-leg win over Copenhagen, they extended their unbeaten run to 21 matches in Europe, which is a record for an English side.
They also became the first team in the history of the Champions League to score three or more goals in seven consecutive matches – sizzling form.
Let’s be honest, there is a high possibility that both records get extended even further tonight.
Bellingham’s La Liga suspension
Real Madrid fans will be relieved – Jude Bellingham starts tonight’s game.
He won’t be available for their next two La Liga matches though because of his red card against Valencia.
Bellingham was convinced he had scored a last-gasp winner at the Mestalla at the weekend, but the referee had already called time on the match seconds prior to him heading home.
This outraged the England midfielder, and his reaction saw him see red.
RB Leipzig Team News – Openda returns
Lois Openda returns for RB Leipzig after being benched at the weekend. Manchester City fans will be aware of what he can do, will Madrid find out tonight?
Leipzig have made only two changes for tonight’s match, but that is potentially one of the strongest sides they could field.
Real Madrid Line-Up – Bellingham starts
We had a feeling we’d be seeing Jude Bellingham’s name on the teamsheet despite his red card in La Liga at the weekend.
That is a very strong Real Madrid side, they are not holding back.
Aurelian Tchouameni will be happy, he returns to his preferred position of defensive midfielder after the return of captain Nacho Fernandez.
Copenhagen Starting XI – Elyounoussi starts
So, here is the Copenhagen team that is tasked with an enormous task at the Etihad – beating Manchester City by two goals more.
There is one familiar name on the team sheet, Mohamed Elyounoussi, the former Southampton forward.
However, there is no room for Magnus Mattsson in the team, he is named on the bench despite scoring in the first leg.
Manchester City Team News – SEVEN Changes
This starting 11 proves Manchester City’s strength in depth.
Pep Guardiola has made seven changes to the City side that won the Manchester Derby.
I am surprised he has kept in Rodri and Erling Haaland though, if they get injured tonight that would be a huge blow for Sunday’s crunch match with Liverpool.
Haaland just loves scoring goals, I guess.
Last time out in Leipzig
Let’s rewind to a couple of weeks back.
Jude Bellingham was injured, Real Madrid were struggling, but then came Brahim Diaz to steal the game away from RB Leipzig with a stunning solo goal.
It ended up being the difference, and it was a huge goal for Madrid after a tense affair in Leipzig where they didn’t have it all their own way.
Will it be more straightforward tonight for Los Blancos?
Pep’s knockout dominance
If you’re ever drawn against a Pep Guardiola side in the knockout stages of the Champions League, you better hope you don’t lose the first leg.
Guardiola has progressed from nine two-legged Champions League ties on the trot when his side has won the first leg away from home.
Well, Copenhagen lost the first leg, so it’s not looking good for them.
Wonderful, Wonderful Copenhagen…
You know how the song goes.
Manchester City certainly thought Copenhagen was wonderful in their first leg visit there as they came away 3-1 winners.
It wasn’t the most straightforward evening that Pep Guardiola’s side has ever had, but after goals from Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Phil Foden, they got the job done.
They suffered a brief scare when Magnus Mattsson equalised with an incredible strike following De Bruyne’s opener, and it was all thanks to a blunder by Ederson.
However, Bernardo only took 10 minutes to put City back in front and the rest is history.
Do you reckon they sang that song on the bus after the game, I’m sorry to mention it again, it’s just stuck in my head.
You can blame my mother for that, she always sings it!
Will Pep rotate?
With Manchester City’s big clash with Liverpool taking place this Sunday, Pep Guardiola may have a selection headache tonight.
Guardiola will know how important the game at Anfield is in terms of the title race because if they lose, it will severely dent their chances of a fourth successive Premier League trophy.
Also, they are coming back off the back of a huge win in the Manchester Derby, which will no doubt have drained them emotionally and physically.
Bearing all that in mind, how many changes will Guardiola make?
I reckon it could be as many as seven or eight. City have enough to go through tonight even if they turn to their reserves, that’s how good their squad is.
I suspect players such as Kevin de Bruyne, Phil Foden, and Erling Haaland may get a rest tonight.
Advantage Real Madrid at the Bernabeu
Madrid’s love affair with the European Cup is a tale as old as time.
Madrista’s have celebrated their club lifting the European Cup on 14 occasions, double the number of times of any other club.
This season they once again look likely to challenge for the trophy until the very end after they beat RB Leipzig 1-0 away from home in the first leg.
You wouldn’t want to bet against Madrid reaching the next round, they have only been knocked out once from their last 20 two-legged ties after winning the first leg in the knockout stages.
Meanwhile, the stats don’t look promising for the German side. Leipzig have come out on the losing side in five of their last six games in the knockout stages, drawing the other.
So, in short, expect a Real Madrid win.
City continue their defence of the cup
I always believed that once Manchester City managed to win their first European Cup, many more would follow in its wake.
It feels like that could happen as early as this season. City’s dominance in this competition has been imperious in the last couple of seasons and it looks set to continue tonight.
City are unbeaten in their last five outings against Copenhagen, and after their 3-1 first-leg win in Denmark, it is surely too big of a task for the Danes to turn it around tonight.
They may be facing a weakened City side though, so will they cause them any damage?
Tonight’s plan of action
Oh, it’s a good one tonight, here is what we have in store for you:
Manchester City vs Copenhagen, 20:00 GMT
Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig, 20:00 GMT
On paper, you look at these fixtures and can make an educated guess on who was going to go through, but you just never know what shocks could spring up this evening.
Champions League night two!
It’s been less than 24 hours since I left this keyboard last, but it’s felt like a lifetime. I just thoroughly enjoy reporting on football at the highest level and we are set to have another cracking night in store.
Manchester City are the favourites to win back-to-back Champions League trophies this season and they have the small matter of second leg last 16 action against Copenhagen at the Etihad tonight.
Let’s be honest, most of us will be expecting tonight to be a breeze for City, but as they are set for a trip to Anfield at the weekend, I anticipate there will be a lot of squad rotation from Pep Guardiola.
Real Madrid’s illustrious history with the Champions League continues tonight as they face RB Leipzig with a one-goal advantage from the first leg. The Bernabeu will be more expectant than hopeful this evening.
With the two favourites for the trophy that will be contested for at Wembley later this campaign in action tonight, you just can’t miss it.
Let’s get this show on the road!
Key Updates
GOAL!!! Real Madrid 1-1 RB Leipzig (Orban 68′)
GOAL!!! Real Madrid 1-0 RB Leipzig (Vini jr 65′)
HALF-TIME: Man City 3-1 Copenhagen
GOAL!!! Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (Haaland 45+3′)
GOAL!!! Man City 2-1 Copenhagen (Elyounoussi 29′)
GOAL!!! Man City 2-0 Copenhagen (Alvarez 9′)
GOAL!!! Man City 1-0 Copenhagen (Akanji 5′)
Can City win a second consecutive Champions League title?
RB Leipzig Team News – Openda returns
Real Madrid Line-Up – Bellingham starts
Copenhagen Starting XI – Elyounoussi starts
Manchester City Team News – SEVEN Changes
Tonight’s plan of action
Champions League night two!
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Man City 3-1 FC Copenhagen (agg 6-2) – Champions League: Live score, team news and updates as Erling Haaland finishes superbly for his 29th goal of the season