Erling Haaland struck twice as holders Manchester City moved a step closer to the Champions League knockout stages with a hard-fought 3-1 win at Young Boys.
Haaland put City back into the lead on the artificial surface at Bern’s Wankdorf Stadium after Switzerland international Manuel Akanji’s opener had been brilliantly cancelled out by Meschack Elia.
Substitute Julian Alvarez had an effort ruled out by VAR but Haaland made victory certain with a smart finish four minutes from time.
The win was City’s third in succession in Group G and they could now secure their spot in their last 16 for an 11th successive year with a follow-up victory over the Swiss side at home in a fortnight.
There had been much talk over the synthetic pitch in the build-up to the game and heavy rain added another variable element but it proved a free-flowing encounter.
Young Boys started well with Filip Ugrinic forcing a save from Ederson before Rodri headed wide from a corner.
Jack Grealish, who ignored the persistent booing of the vociferous home crowd, teed up Jeremy Doku with a superb first-time ball but the Belgian slipped as he cut inside and Anthony Racioppi saved.
The impressive Swiss keeper denied Haaland soon after but did have a moment of alarm when he spilled a Grealish shot. Matheus Nunes could only poke the loose ball weakly towards goal, however, and Loris Benito cleared off the line.
Doku went close again after switching from the right to left wing but Racioppi brilliantly saved his curling effort and blocked a first-time Rodri shot.
Young Boys had a good spell before the break with first Cedric Itten breaking clear but failing to beat Ederson.
Itten then teed up Sandro Lauper with a neat flick but Nathan Ake got back to block before a powerful Lewin Blum effort was turned behind. Itten went close again from the set-piece as his header dropped narrowly over.
While that made for a lively end to the first half, the game truly burst into life early in the second.
Akanji and Nunes both had chances before City grabbed the lead in the 48th minute. Rodri delivered a cross into the box and Ruben Dias, still forward following a corner, had a header tipped onto the bar by Racioppi. Akanji reacted the quickest to turn the ball in.
City went in immediate search of a second but were caught out after a Haaland shot was saved by Racioppi.
The ball was quickly sent to the other end and played into the path of Elia, who caught Ederson stranded off his line with a superb lob.
Young Boys were firmly back in the game and Itten forced Ederson into an awkward save with a swerving shot.
City stepped up the intensity and were awarded a penalty when Mohamed Ali Camara, moments after being booked, caught Rodri from behind. Haaland stepped up to thump home his 10th of the season.
City thought they had claimed another through Alvarez but his low strike was ruled out for a Grealish handball in the build-up.
It fell to Haaland to complete the job, the striker wrong-footing the defence just inside the box and then lifting into the top corner.
[(Espanyol) Strength]: 1. Espanyol finished 14th with 11 wins, 9 draws, and 18 losses in last season's La Liga. They scored 40 goals and conceded 51 in 38 league games. In the offseason, the team signed new players to boost their lineup. They are strongly motivated in the first home game of the new season.2. Espanyol's young forward Roberto Fernandez has completed his permanent transfer to Espanyo...
[(Athletic Bilbao) Strength]: 1. To secure their first win this season, Athletic Bilbao are undoubtedly motivated in this game.2. On July 4, Athletic Bilbao officially announced Nico Williams' contract extension until 2035, with his release clause increasing by at least 50% to over 87 million euros.3. Athletic Bilbao won 13 of the last 20 home games across all competitions, showcasing outstanding ...
[(Manchester United F.C.) Strength]: 1. As it's the opening match of the new season, Manchester United F.C. are highly motivated to secure their first victory at Old Trafford.2. Manchester United F.C. have focused their summer rebuild on the attack, spending heavily on a new trio of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko, which should improve their offensive output.3. Manchester United F....
[(Nottingham Forest) Strength]: 1. This game is the first home match of Nottingham Forest in the new season, so the team will surely hope to start with a win.2. Nottingham Forest finished 7th with 19 wins, 8 draws, and 11 losses in the Premier League last season, once entering the top four.3. Nottingham Forest had a home record of 9 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses in last season's Premier League, rank...
[(Chelsea F.C.) Strength]: 1. This summer, Chelsea F.C.'s most significant reinforcements came in the attacking line. Liam Delap and Joao Pedro joined early, participated in the Club World Cup, and quickly integrated into the team, both scoring goals. Meanwhile, young talent Estevao Willian, before his transfer, scored a stunning goal for Palmeiras against Chelsea F.C. in the same tournament. The ...
[(Gwangju FC) Strength]: 1. Gwangju FC's newly signed foreign forward Holmbert Fridjonsson made his K League 1 debut as a substitute in the last match and could be in line for a starting spot in this game.[(Gwangju FC) Weakness]: 1. Gwangju FC's foreign striker Jasir Asani is set to join Iranian club Esteghlal F.C. He missed the last league match due to an ankle injury and remains doubtful for thi...
[(Gimcheon Sangmu FC) Strength]: 1. Gimcheon Sangmu FC forward Park Sang Hyeok scored 8 goals in the league this season, becoming the most stable scoring point of the team.2. Gimcheon Sangmu FC drew 0-0 with Gangwon FC in the last league game on the road. They were unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws in the last 4 league games, revealing stable form.3. Gimcheon Sangmu FC scored 8 goals in the last 5 ...
[(Fagiano Okayama) Strength]: 1. Fagiano Okayama midfielder Hiroto Iwabuchi scored a brace in the last league game, helping the team take all 3 points.2. Fagiano Okayama's top scorer Takaya Kimurab scored a goal in the last league game, ending a nearly three-month goal drought as he found the net for the first time in seven games.3. Fagiano Okayama won 3-0 over Gamba Osaka in the last league game ...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Sunderland top of the table Richarlison(R9) vs Burnley lol This Twins A fan asked Haaland what he thought of the city of Wolverhampton and Haaland's response was brilliant Ah shit, here we go again.Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss)...
Former PSG star joins rivals Paris FCFormer Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Kevin Trapp is all set to complete his move from Eintracht Frankfurt to newly promoted Ligue 1 side Paris FC, according to Sky Sports Florian Plettenberg.Paris FC have reached full agreement with the Bundesliga side and will pay a transfer fee of €1m for the 35-year-old custodian, who will sign a three-year contract w...
- 1 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 2 Hummels snubs son for match with new model girlfriend
- 3 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 4 Agent of Real Madrid defender David Alaba responds to Saudi Pro League transfer speculation as Spanish giants ponder selling 33-year-old after injury woes
- 5 TIPS - Juventude VS Corinthians
- 6 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 7 TIPS - Atletico San Luis VS Cruz Azul
- 8 TIPS - Cambuur Leeuwarden VS FC Oss
- 9 Alexander Isak goes on STRIKE! Forward Refuses to Play Newcastle Opener as Liverpool Linger
- 10 TIPS - Kashima Antlers VS Avispa Fukuoka