Champions League: Haaland scored twice in opening match of group stage
Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City opened their Champions League campaign beating Sevilla side 4-0.
Haaland’s ninth goal in five games set City on their way in Spain, with the Norwegian forward tapping in from Kevin de Bruyne’s superb driven cross.
He added to his tally after the break when he was again on hand to score from close range after home goalkeeper Yassine Bounou parried Phil Foden’s shot into his path.
In between, England midfielder Foden had given City a healthy cushion in their Group G opener, teasing his marker Nemanja Gudelj before sweeping a left-foot effort into the bottom-right corner of the net.
Ruben Dias underlined the gulf in class between the Premier League champions and the side that finished fourth in La Liga last term late on, side-footing Joao Cancelo’s cross into the middle of an empty net.
“When they were playing better we scored the second one with a brilliant action from Phil [Foden]. Then after it was easier – we gave more passes,” City manager Pep Guardiola told BT Sport.
“Sometimes we want to rush so quick because Erling is there. You have this attraction of him, we want to attack it sometimes. We have to be more patient. I think his numbers across his career, not just here, is quite similar.
“So he has an incredible sense of goal. We have incredible numbers in scoring goals, so we want to continue like that.”
The manner of City’s victory and final scoreline was not unduly flattering, with the visitors dominant throughout.
Julen Lopetegui’s side looked short of attacking ideas and bereft of confidence after their winless start to the La Liga season.
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