Three first-half goals saw Manchester City book their place in the quarter-finals after a draw against FC Copenhagen.
The Blues started exactly as they were looking for when Manuel Akanji came from behind to fire a superb strike from the edge of the box to put City three clear on aggregate.
The home side quickly followed up with their second of the night, this time through Julián Álvarez, who fired Pep Guardiola’s side four in front in total but killed off the tie.
Although it was a mere consolation, Copenhagen silenced the home crowd with a superb team move that saw Mohamed Elyounoussi finish to halve City’s lead on the night.
However, the home side regained their two-goal lead just before the half-time break when Erling Haaland slotted in with his left foot to fire home City’s third.
Man City player ratings
GK: Ederson – 5/10 – Almost got caught out early in the second half when a slack pass with picked off, with Copenhagen failing to capitalise.
RB: Rico Lewis – 7/10 – Readily inverted into midfield when in possession. Typically busy.
CB: Manuel Akanji – 7/10 – Looked like a seasoned striker when he fired City into the lead.
CB: Ruben Dias – 6/10 – Might have been a little vulnerable had Copenhagen offered a little more consistent quality. Hardly misplaced a pass, though.
LB: Josko Gvardiol – 6/10 – Didn’t face much in the way of wide threats.
CM: Rodri – 8/10 – Killer long pass made Haaland’s goal and then withdrawn at half-time moments later, presumably for some well deserved rest.
CM: Mateo Kovacic – 7/10 – Kept the ball away from the visitors to prevent them building a real head of steam and also effective in winning it back.
RM: Matheus Nunes – 6/10 – Would have been hoping to make the most of a relatively rare start but ended up limping off the pitch in the second half.
AM: Oscar Bobb – 5/10 – An early chance forced one of the corners from which City scored, but his impact wasn’t really there.
LM: Julian Alvarez – 8/10 – An assist and then a goal inside the first nine minutes. His delivery from those early corners caused all kinds of problems.
ST: Erling Haaland – 7/10 – Took his goal in true Haaland fashion, showcasing awareness, strength and a prolific nose for goal. Teammates didn’t create that much else for him.
SUB: Sergio Gomez (46′ for Rodri) – 6/10
SUB: John Stones (68′ for Dias) – 6/10
SUB: Micah Hamilton (74′ for Nunes) – 6/10
SUB: Jacob Wright (88′ for Haaland) – N/A
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