Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland scored a brace as holders Manchester City(Man City) beat Young Boys 3-1 in Group G of the Champions League match played at the Center Court on Wednesday
The 23-year-old Norwegian striker scored twice in the second half, his first Champions League goals in six games, first with a penalty, then a fine curling effort.
Man City had dominated proceedings and led in the 48th minute when Manuel Akanji tapped in, but Young Boys pulled level shortly after through Meschack Elia’s exquisite chip.
But Haaland’s 67th-minute penalty, followed by his second with four minutes remaining, ensured City remain top of Group G with nine points from three games.
Pep Guardiola’s side are now unbeaten in their past 16 Champions League matches, winning 10 and drawing six, with only Manchester United between 2007 and 2009 ever having a longer run without defeat among English teams in the competition.
Substitute Julian Alvarez had an effort ruled out by VAR but Haaland made victory certain with a smart finish four minutes from time.
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The win was City’s third in succession in Group G and they could now secure their spot in their last 16 for an 11th successive year with a follow-up victory over the Swiss side at home in a fortnight.
There had been much talk over the synthetic pitch in the build-up to the game and heavy rain added another variable element but it proved a free-flowing encounter.
Young Boys started well with Filip Ugrinic forcing a save from Ederson before Rodri headed wide from a corner.
City are making the most of being handed a benign group in its title defense after beating Red Star Belgrade and Leipzig. Another win at home to Young Boys in two weeks and Pep Guardiola´s team will have qualified with two matches to spare, allowing City to focus on a tough-looking upcoming Premier League schedule.
