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.
Seven minutes later the lead was doubled. Jeremy Doku recycled a cross, and Haaland finished from close range. It was clinical and ruthless. City then controlled the tempo, probing, rotating, and making the German side chase shadows.
The second half began in similar fashion. Foden added his second with another exquisite curl to the same corner, his confidence obvious and growing. Dortmund found a route back through Waldemar Anton on 72 minutes, a neat finish from a quick move. They threatened a late fightback, but a stoppage-time strike from Rayan Cherki made the scoreline emphatic.
City finished with superior xG and a dominant statistical profile. For Pep Guardiola it was pleasing because the team showed depth, cutting edge, and the habit of scoring from distance. For Dortmund it was a lesson in balance between attack and caution. The result, which was shared on the team’s official X account, lifts City’s hopes of a smooth path to the knockout rounds and gives fans something to savour before the next big fixture.
