Haaland scores twice as Manchester City beat Porto in 2026/26 Champions League

Manchester City secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Porto in the 2026/26 Champions League, with Erling Haaland scoring twice. Coach Enzo Maresca had suggested before the match that Haaland might need rest due to a congested schedule, but the 26-year-old started alongside Ayyoub Bouaddi and proved decisive. Haaland opened the scoring with a powerful header from an Enzo Fernandez cross, beating Jakub Kiwior and sending the ball into the far corner. It was his 58th Champions League goal in just 59 appearances, moving him past Thomas Muller on the all-time scoring list. Earlier, there was controversy when Marc Guehi accidentally struck Gabri Veiga in the head during an aerial duel. Veiga bled from the contact, but VAR did not recommend an on-field review, leaving referee Szymon Marciniak whistled by the home crowd as he left the pitch at halftime. City lost control after taking the lead and made uncharacteristic errors. Maresca responded with a double substitution, replacing Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo with Iliman Ndiaye and Elliot Anderson. The change helped City regain their pressing shape. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma also nearly cost his team with two risky moments, including a collision with Pepe that was ruled offside before the contact. Later, he misjudged a back pass and was almost dispossessed by William Gomes. Haaland sealed the win with his second goal late in the match, showing why Maresca kept faith in him. Porto played with intensity and created chances but lacked the final touch. This result gives City a strong position in the Champions League group, although questions remain over Donnarumma's concentration. Maresca will need to address those issues ahead of tougher knockout-stage matches.