Manchester City dominates Borussia Dortmund in Champions League clash
Manchester City maintained their flawless Champions League campaign with an emphatic 4-1 triumph against Borussia Dortmund at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening, reports BritPanorama.
Phil Foden delivered a masterclass performance, netting two spectacular long-range efforts that proved decisive in the victory. His brace overshadowed Erling Haaland’s strike against his former club, although the Norwegian forward continued his remarkable scoring streak.
Waldemar Anton briefly threatened a comeback for the German visitors with a consolation goal, but substitute Rayan Cherki extinguished any hopes with a late fourth. The result leaves Pep Guardiola’s side with three victories and a draw from their opening four European fixtures this season.
Borussia Dortmund began brightly, with Karim Adeyemi causing problems for the home defence through penetrating runs. However, the visitors failed to register an attempt on target before City seized control. The breakthrough arrived after 22 minutes when Tijjani Reijnders found Foden outside the penalty area. Given too much room by the Dortmund defence, the midfielder swivelled and placed a precise left-footed shot beyond Gregor Kobel’s reach.
City doubled their advantage just seven minutes later through Haaland’s 18th goal of the campaign. Jeremy Doku burst forward before delivering a cutback that found the striker unmarked, who hammered the ball past his former teammates.
The hosts continued their dominance after the interval, with Foden completing his double in the 57th minute. Once again supplied by Reijnders, the 24-year-old controlled brilliantly before bending an exquisite left-footed effort into the bottom corner from outside the area. Dortmund finally responded in the 72nd minute when Julian Ryerson’s delivery from a set-piece found Anton, who slid the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma to reduce the deficit.
The goal energised the travelling supporters and briefly sparked the visitors into life. Adeyemi threatened twice more as the German side pushed for another, with John Stones blocking one effort and the forward firing another attempt wide of the target.
City wrapped up the comprehensive victory in stoppage time when French substitute Cherki glided into the penalty area before finding the net via a deflection for his maiden Champions League goal.
The win lifts Manchester City to fourth position in the league phase standings with 10 points, while Dortmund dropped to 14th place with seven points from four matches. Jeremy Doku reflected on the performance afterwards, telling TNT Sports: “It was a great night against a good opponent. I think we started well and scored some good goals.”
The Belgian winger praised Haaland’s contribution beyond his goalscoring: “In terms of numbers, Erling is unbelievable. Tonight he scored just one goal, but he is so much more than goals and assists for us.”
In a match marked by clinical finishing and strategic play, City’s performance underscores their status as serious contenders in this year’s Champions League. Each of Foden’s strikes served as a reminder of his evolving role within the team, while Cherki’s late heroics added yet another layer to City’s formidable attacking depth.
