Manchester City’s Late Goal Secures Vital Win Against Dortmund
Phil Foden’s late winner secured a vital 2-1 win for Manchester City against Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at the Etihad stadium.
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has never made it past the last eight in the Champions League with City and was determined to see his side through to the semi-finals of the competition. Guardiola started the game without a recognised centre-forward as Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus were left on the bench.
City took time to impose themselves in the game as Dortmund pressed for an early lead. However, the Germans were punished when Mahrez’s cut-back from the byline was tapped in at close range by Kevin De Bruyne. Emre Can’s mistake caused the City counter-attack which led to the goal.
City were given a penalty in strange circumstances on the half-hour after Rodri went downing the box. After a VAR check, referee Ovidiu Hategan eventually reversed his decision. There was more controversy to come when the referee bizarrely disallowed Jude Bellingham’s equaliser.
Bellingham had closed down Ederson as he attempted a clearance and ended up taking the ball and scoring as the Brazilian missed his kick. However, the referee gave a dubious foul against Dortmund instead.
In the second half, City were creating chances and kept putting pressure on the visitors.
However, the Germans scored a well-worked equaliser six minutes from time. Bellingham found Erling Haaland who cleverly flicked the ball into the path of Marco Reus who ran into the area to clip the ball over Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson.
It looked to be another frustrating night for City and Guardiola in the UEFA Champions League as the clock approached 90 minutes.
However, the in-form Foden stepped up with a crucial goal from close range from an Ilkay Gundogan assist after De Bruyne picked out the German with another sublime pass.
The game finished 2-1 as Manchester City hold the advantage going into the second leg next Wednesday in Germany.
FULL TIME | After all that, we’re taking a lead to Germany!
