Manchester City sealed their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League with a 3-1 home win over Copenhagen. Manuel Akanji added to City’s 3-1 aggregate lead with an early opener and a mistake by goalkeeper Kamil Grabara allowed Julian Alvarez to make it two before Mohamed Elyounoussi grabbed a consolation. Erling Haaland popped up with his 41st tournament goal to seal victory.
Manchester City remain on course for the double-treble after cruising into the UEFA Champions quarter-finals courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Copenhagen.
With a 3-1 advantage from the first leg, it took Pep Guardiola’s side just five minutes to open the scoring, as Manuel Akanji made it 1-0 with a delicious volley, before Julian Alvarez doubled the lead shortly afterwards.
Former Southampton man Mohamed Elyounoussi pulled one back for the Danes with a delightful finish, and that led to a spirited period for visitors, until Erling Haaland put the tie to bed before half-time.
It was plain sailing from there on in for City, as although Ederson made one save from Magnus Mattsson, they were largely untroubled in a quiet second half.
At the other end, the hosts created very little against a compact defence, failing to even register a shot on target in the second half. However, they knew their job was already done, and a seventh successive Champions League quarter-final awaits.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – JULIAN ALVAREZ (MANCHESTER CITY)
The Argentine’s goal was more than fortuitous, as he profited from a goalkeeping clanger, but his performance on the night was much more than that.
He barely put a foot wrong in the centre of the park, driving his forward and rarely giving the ball away as City largely controlled the tempo of the game.
It was a performance that certainly gives Guardiola something to think about as he heads to Anfield at the weekend, pondering whether or not to play the second striker in support of Haaland.
