Manchester Metropolis closed in on the Champions League quarter-finals with a dominant show to beat FC Copenhagen 3-1 within the Danish capital on Tuesday.
Kevin De Bruyne’s early opener was cancelled out towards the run of play by Magnus Mattsson.
Bernardo Silva restored Metropolis’s lead earlier than half-time, however they needed to wait till stoppage time so as to add additional punishment for the hosts as Phil Foden turned residence De Bruyne’s cut-back.
The English champions have now gained 11 consecutive video games in all competitions as they continue to be on track to repeat final season’s treble of the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.
Copenhagen had not performed a aggressive recreation for 2 months since sealing their place within the final 16 by dumping out Manchester United and Galatasaray within the group phases.
That lack of match sharpness from the Danish champions confirmed within the early phases as Metropolis stormed out of the blocks.
De Bruyne headed an excellent likelihood vast and Kamil Grabara denied Ruben Dias with a advantageous save inside six minutes.
The previous Liverpool goalkeeper had no likelihood when De Bruyne broke the impasse on 10 minutes with a scientific low end from Foden’s cross.
Jack Grealish had been surprisingly handed simply his second begin of the yr by Guardiola, however the England worldwide lasted simply quarter-hour earlier than he pulled up with a suspected groin harm.
The guests barely skipped a beat with the enforced change as Jeremy Doku changed Grealish and almost arrange a spectacular purpose for Erling Haaland.
Doku cushioned Rodri’s cross into the trail of the Norwegian, who contorted his large body to fulfill the cross acrobatically on the volley however the ball flew vast.
Metropolis had loved almost 80 per cent possession and barely let Copenhagen inside their half for the primary 35 minutes, but had been made to pay for one second of sloppiness.
Ederson’s poor clearance was straight into the trail of Mohamed Elyounoussi and his blocked shot fell to Mattson to mark his debut with a shocking strike from outdoors the field.
Metropolis regained their composure and the lead earlier than half-time.
Mattson was unlucky as his tried clearance ricocheted off De Bruyne and completely into the trail of Silva to flick past Grabara.
The Copenhagen goalkeeper saved his aspect within the tie within the early phases of the second interval with spectacular stops to disclaim De Bruyne and Doku.
Grabara then twice gained a head-to-head battle with Haaland in stoppage time.
Metropolis had been eager to construct up a cushty benefit with the second leg falling between essential Premier League video games towards Manchester United and Liverpool subsequent month.
And so they lastly received the third purpose that ought to have killed off the tie when the in-form Foden slammed residence his fifteenth purpose of the season as Metropolis prolonged their unbeaten run in European competitions to 21 video games.
AFP