Haaland strikes late as City survive Leipzig scare to move top seven

Manchester City returned to winning ways in the Champions League thanks to a decisive late goal from Erling Haaland, according to BBC News ^[1]. The Norwegian striker settled a frantic encounter with RB Leipzig, ensuring his side overcame being pegged back twice to secure a 3-2 victory on match day four.

The Independent reported ^[2] that Haaland’s intervention came just twelve minutes from time, capping a match where City were constantly under pressure from an enterprising Leipzig side managed by former defender Martin Demichelis. Despite the result, it was not an evening the City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma would wish to recall, having been caught out and fumbling crucial chances.

City initially took the lead through a stroke of luck, with Castello Lukeba bundling the ball into his own net after a cutback from Nico O’Reilly appeared wasteful. However, the hosts quickly levelled through Ridle Baku, who exploited Donnarumma’s hesitation off his line to rifle the ball home at the near post. The drama continued as Enzo Fernandez restored City’s lead following a cross from Iliman Ndiaye, but Leipzig refused to buckle.

Antonio Nusa equalised again for Leipzig with a low strike, setting up a tense finale. Haaland, who had endured a largely quiet night, finally broke the deadlock by racing in at the back post to slide home a superb low ball from Elliot Anderson. The win marks Haaland’s 14th goal of the season and his 62nd in 61 Champions League appearances, reinforcing his status as Europe’s most lethal striker.

Leipzig had earlier troubled Donnarumma throughout the contest, with Nusa and Christoph Baumgartner forcing saves. Both teams hit the woodwork in the closing stages, with Leipzig’s David Raum striking the bar and City’s Rayan Cherki doing likewise. The victory lifts Enzo Maresca’s team to seventh in the Champions League table, placing them inside the automatic qualifying spots for the knockout rounds. For Leipzig, the defeat is a bitter pill after pushing City to the brink, but City’s resilience in the final minutes proves their title credentials remain intact despite the defensive fragility displayed tonight.