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In Manchester, England, on November 7th, Manchester City's Erling Haaland was instrumental in the team's success, scoring twice and propelling them into the Champions League's round of 16 with two matches to spare following a 3-0 win over Switzerland's Young Boys on Tuesday.
With a perfect streak, Pep Guardiola’s team is dominating Group G, having secured 12 points after four matches. Young Boys, hindered further when Sandro Lauper was sent off with a red card at the 53-minute mark, sit at the bottom of the group with a solitary point.
Guardiola, while pleased, stressed the importance of not becoming complacent as topping the group is crucial for the advantage of playing the second game of the last-16 at home. He lauded the team's performance, highlighting the two impressive goals scored.
Haaland, despite concerns over an ankle injury sustained in a resounding 6-1 victory over Bournemouth in the Premier League last Saturday, is fast approaching a milestone in the Champions League with 39 goals in 34 games, threatening to break Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record.
On a less positive note, John Stones, recently back from a hip injury, encountered another setback with a muscle issue, about which Guardiola expressed his dismay.
From the beginning, City was on the offensive, with Haaland opening the scoring in the 23rd minute via a penalty, following Lauper’s foul on Matheus Nunes. Haaland celebrated by gesturing emphatically after deceiving goalkeeper Anthony Racioppi.
Just before the break, Phil Foden, found by Jack Grealish, increased the lead by navigating into the area and dispatching a precise shot past Racioppi.
Haaland's second, a stunning strike with his left foot from distance in the 51st minute, marked his fourth goal in two matches against Young Boys, leading to an exchange of jerseys with the opposing captain, Mohamed Ali Camara, and a warm send-off from the fans when he was later substituted.
City's dominance could have translated into a wider margin had it not been for some close attempts, including one from Rico Lewis that was thwarted on the line by Loris Benito.
Substitute Jeremy Doku delivered a fine cross late in the game, which Nunes failed to convert.
Acknowledging the challenge, Young Boys’ manager Raphael Wicky admitted that earning points at City’s home ground requires a faultless performance.
Guardiola’s squad continues an impressive 17-game unbeaten run in the Champions League, dating back to a defeat at Real Madrid in the semi-finals in May 2022.
Grealish, in conversation with TNT Sports, praised Guardiola as the finest in the field, attributing the team’s achievements to both the guidance from the coach and the unity and talent within the squad.
Looking ahead, Manchester City will host RB Leipzig on November 28, followed by an away game against Red Star Belgrade on December 13 to conclude the group stage.
