Erling Haaland scored a 78th-minute winner as Manchester City secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over RB Leipzig in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League league-phase encounter.
The Norwegian striker delivered the decisive goal after the Premier League side surrendered their early advantage before recovering to claim all three points in an entertaining contest.
City took the lead in the 37th minute when Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba inadvertently diverted an attacking delivery into his own net.
The own goal handed the visitors a narrow advantage heading into the interval, but Leipzig responded with renewed attacking intensity after the restart.
Just four minutes into the second half, Ridle Baku restored parity with an impressive finish from a difficult angle, beating the City goalkeeper to make it 1-1.
The equaliser transformed the contest as both teams committed players forward in search of another goal.
City regained their advantage in the 58th minute through Enzo Fernandez, who rose highest to head home an accurate cross from Iliman Ndiaye.
However, Leipzig responded almost immediately, drawing level again in the 61st minute through Antonio Nusa.
The winger produced a composed finish inside the penalty area after receiving a well-placed lofted pass from Christopher Nkunku, making it 2-2.
With the scores level, the match developed into an increasingly open contest, with both sides creating opportunities to secure victory.
City eventually found the breakthrough in the 78th minute when Elliot Anderson provided the decisive pass for Haaland, who finished into an empty net to restore the visitors’ lead.
The goal proved crucial as Leipzig launched another attacking push in the closing stages.
David Raum nearly restored parity in the 81st minute, but his free-kick struck the crossbar, denying the hosts a spectacular equaliser.
City responded with another opportunity three minutes later when Rayan Cherki’s effort also crashed against the woodwork.
Leipzig appeared to have rescued a point in the 89th minute after Brajan Gruda found the net, only for the effort to be disallowed for offside.
Haaland then had an opportunity to extend City’s advantage in the final minute of regulation time, but goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt prevented him from scoring again.
Despite sustained pressure from the German side, City successfully defended their narrow advantage through five minutes of stoppage time.
The victory secured three valuable points for the Premier League side in the Champions League league phase.
For Haaland, the decisive contribution capped an entertaining encounter in which both teams demonstrated attacking quality but struggled defensively.
City’s ability to respond after Leipzig twice drew level ultimately proved the difference, while the German side were left to rue missed opportunities and a disallowed late goal.
Ezeana Emmanuel
