Man City v Young Boys LIVE: Champions League result and reaction as City cruise into knockouts
Man City 3-0 Young Boys: City qualified for the knockout stages with two games to spare after brushing aside their Swiss opponents
Manchester City qualified for the Champions League knockout rounds with a comfortable and comprehensive victory over Swiss side Young Boys at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola decided to risk starting Erling Haaland for the game after the striker was subbed off early at the weekend. It proved a great decision as the Norwegian opened the scoring, converting a penalty won by Matheus Nunes being brought down in the box.
City never looked uncomfortable and when the second goal went in, netted by a lovely finish from Phil Foden after he received a cross field pass from Jack Grealish, the hosts knew the game was done.
Sandro Lauper made a tough night more difficult for the visitors by getting himself sent off after accumulating two yellow cards but the last word went to Haaland. He added City’s third with a glorious strike across the box that saw the ball rocket into the far top corner.
Relive the Champions League action below plus get the latest odds and tips for this match right here:
Erling Haaland back with a bang as Manchester City progress in Champions League
Erling Haaland shrugged off injury to score twice as holders Manchester City reached the Champions League last 16 with a comfortable 3-0 win over 10-man Young Boys.
The prolific Norwegian took his tally for the season to 15 with a penalty and a long-range strike as City eased past the Swiss champions at the Etihad Stadium to secure their fourth successive Group G win.
Phil Foden also got on the scoresheet as City, securing their place in the knockout stages for an 11th successive season, overran opponents who failed to muster a single shot and had Sandro Lauper sent off in the second half.
Typically, it was Haaland who stole the show having overcome the ankle problem that forced him off against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Erling Haaland back with a bang as Manchester City progress in Champions League
The Norwegian scored twice with Phil Foden also on target in a 3-0 win over Young Boys.
FT Man City 3-0 Young Boys
Reaction from Man City’s Jack Grealish who told TNT Sports: “Every year we have so many games. Obviously, we are not in the Carabao Cup now, but most of the time we are in all the competitions. To qualify with two games to spare, that is what we wanted to do.
“He [Pep Guardiola] gives us so much. In my opinion, he is the best manager in the world. He has shown that over the years. But you can have the best manager in the world, you also need the team.
“And that is what we have, a brilliant team on the pitch but also off the pitch we have a brilliant team that is so close. We love being with each other every day and playing with each other.”
FT Man City 3-0 Young Boys
Young Boys failed to attempt a shot on target in this game, it’s the first time they failed to attempt a shot on target in a game in the Champions League since facing Manchester United on 27th November 2018.
Full-time! Man City 3-0 Young Boys
90+3 mins: There’s the whistle. Manchester City secure the points and secure qualification for the knockout rounds of this season’s Champions League campaign.
They’re through with two fixtures to spare.
Man City 3-0 Young Boys
90 mins: Three minutes of added time to play. Will City score again?
Man City 3-0 Young Boys
88 mins: Foden brings the ball into the box from the right then gives it to Phillips. He scuffs a shot and Oscar Bobb recovers the ball. A loose touch brings it back to Phillips on the edge of the six yard area and he can’t control the ball meaning it bobbles out of play.
Man City 3-0 Young Boys
85 mins: Close! Nunes almost scores a screamer. Grealish has moved into a more central area and is controlling City’s play. He slides a pass across the edge of the box and sets up Nunes for a first time shot.
Nunes runs onto the ball and smokes it over the top.
Man City 3-0 Young Boys
82 mins: Pep Guardiola has been wanting his side to keep the tempo and energy levels high. He’s probably after more goals to be fair.
Grealish feeds the ball out to Doku on the left. He dances his way into the box then shoots and curls his effort into the hands of the goalkeeper.
Man City 3-0 Young Boys
78 mins: Jeremy Doku comes on for City and will have a touch over 10 minutes to impress. He’s made a great start to his time in Manchester, can he score again tonight?
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