Manchester City moved to the top half of the Champions League league phase with a convincing 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund at the Etihad. The encounter, previously previewed by SoftFootball as a battle of European heavyweights , lived up to expectations as City displayed authority and flair throughout.
Erling Haaland was on the scoresheet again after his recent brace at Bournemouth , but Phil Foden was the headline act, scoring two spectacular long-range goals to seal the night for City. The feel of the match was familiar and energising for City fans, especially after Haaland's earlier form picked up people's attention.
Dortmund started on the front foot and tried to dictate play from the first whistle. That ambitious approach nearly paid off early, yet City were sharp on the counter. Phil Foden tested Gregor Kobel twice before opening the scoring on 22 minutes, taking a tidy pass from Tijjani Reijnders and curling into the bottom left corner. The stadium woke up properly after that.