Manchester City delivered a commanding Champions League performance at the Etihad, dismantling Borussia Dortmund 4-1 to tighten their grip on qualification from the league phase. Phil Foden struck twice, while Erling Haaland haunted his former club once again, continuing his extraordinary scoring run in Europe.
City in Command After Early Dortmund Promise
Nico Kovac’s Dortmund started brightly, pressing high and showing early intent, but City’s composure quickly shifted the momentum. Foden, lively from the first whistle, tested Gregor Kobel with two sharp efforts from distance before finding the breakthrough on 22 minutes. The England midfielder collected the ball outside the box and, with defenders backing off, slid a precise low finish into the bottom corner.
It was Foden’s first Champions League goal in exactly a year, his previous coming in a 4-1 defeat to Sporting. Once ahead, City took complete control. Haaland, always the man for the big stage, doubled the lead seven minutes later with a powerful strike from Jeremy Doku’s cutback. Kobel’s saves from Nico O’Reilly and Tijjani Reijnders kept the scoreline respectable before the break, but the visitors were hanging on.
Foden Doubles Up as Haaland Makes More History
Foden’s second came on 57 minutes, a beautifully placed curling shot beyond Kobel that underlined his confidence and form. Dortmund briefly found a response through Waldemar Anton, who poked home from Julian Ryerson’s cross, yet any hopes of a late comeback vanished when substitute Rayan Cherki capped City’s night with a composed solo finish in added time.
For Guardiola’s men, this was a statement of rhythm and power. After losing two of their first three matches this season, City have found their flow again, suffering just one defeat in their last 13 games. Their Champions League home record now extends to 23 unbeaten matches, a stretch spanning seven years.
Haaland’s goal marked another milestone. The Norwegian has now scored in five consecutive Champions League fixtures for three different clubs — RB Salzburg, Dortmund and City. His tally of 27 goals this season for club and country highlights a player operating at the peak of his powers.
Dortmund Falter Under Pressure
For Dortmund, this was a humbling evening. Despite sitting third in the Bundesliga, they struggled to cope with City’s tempo and precision. Kobel’s eight saves spared them heavier damage, but defensive lapses proved costly. Striker Serhou Guirassy, prolific domestically, found little joy against Ruben Dias and John Stones.
Former Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham and ex-Brighton man Pascal Gross added late energy, yet Dortmund’s efforts came too late. Their defensive frailties were laid bare when Cherki restored City’s three-goal cushion, sealing a result that reinforced the gulf between the sides.
Manchester City’s march continues. With ten points from four games, they look every inch the tournament’s most complete side, mixing youthful flair with ruthless efficiency. Dortmund, meanwhile, will need a swift response to keep their Champions League ambitions alive.