TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Erling Haaland made the difference for Manchester City as they began their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 victory over Porto at the Estádio do Dragão on Tuesday night, giving Enzo Maresca a winning start in his first European match as the club's head coach.
According to UEFA records cited by Antara, Haaland scored both of City's goals, with the victory putting Maresca's side at the top of the Champions League league-phase standings with three points from one match. Porto sit at the bottom after the defeat.
Manchester City started aggressively and created several chances in the opening half. Haaland came close with a header, while Phil Foden also tested Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
Sky Sports reported that Haaland was unusually wasteful before halftime, with Costa producing a series of important saves to deny the Norwegian striker. Costa also thwarted Rayan Cherki after one of Haaland's efforts, keeping Porto level at the break.
Haaland finally found the breakthrough just two minutes into the second half. In the 47th minute, Enzo Fernandez delivered a cross that Haaland headed past Costa and into the net, with the ball going in off the post to give City a 1-0 lead.
Porto responded by growing into the match as City eased off the pressure. Alan Varela came close to an equalizer with a long-range effort that curled just wide of the far post.
The Portuguese side also threatened when City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was nearly caught in possession by William Gomes, but the ball eventually rolled to safety.
According to Antara, City continued to create opportunities after taking the lead, although they struggled to turn their chances into another goal. Porto, meanwhile, failed to register a shot on target despite their increased pressure.
City eventually secured the victory in stoppage time. Rayan Ait-Nouri's cutback found Haaland, who calmly finished to make it 2-0 in the 90+1st minute.
Sky Sports noted that the victory continued a pattern of City winning while struggling to fully convince. Nevertheless, the result provided Maresca with a positive start to his Champions League tenure, particularly as City became the first team to defeat Porto at the Estádio do Dragão this calendar year.
The result also gives City momentum ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford, although Maresca will know his side must improve if they are to maintain their strong start to the season.
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