Lightning double pack

Manchester City vs FC Copenhagen from 9pm LIVE

Erling Haaland (center) also scored shortly before half-time.

(Bild: APA/AFP/Oli SCARFF)

Manchester City have also won the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie against FC Copenhagen. As in the first leg, the English side prevailed 3:1. A double strike at the start of the game dashed even the Danes' faintest hopes. But Copenhagen showed morale.  

The English side literally pinned the Danes back in their own half in the opening stages, had 80 per cent possession at times and were ruthless in front of goal right from the start. 4:30 minutes had been played when Manuel Akanji, who had been brought up, slammed an impressive direct volley into the net after a Julian Alvarez corner.

Julián Álvarez celebrates his goal

(Bild: APA/AFP/Paul ELLIS)

Before the second goal (9'), a Rodri header hit the crossbar, then FCK goalkeeper Kamil Grabara made a mistake with a not too sharp shot by Alvarez from the edge of the box and let it pass.

A brief rally
The visitors only really made their presence felt once in attack and shone with a perfectly played counter-attack. Norway team player Mohamed Elyounoussi finished with his heel after Orri Oskarsson's preparatory work (29'). The English side were unimpressed and immediately stepped up a gear. After a pass from Rodri, Erling Haaland fooled the Copenhagen backline and scored into the far corner (45.+3). The ex-Salzburger increased his impressive goal tally in the "premier class" to 41 goals in 37 games. His tally for the season is similarly strong with 29 goals in 32 competitive matches.

However, FC Copenhagen showed great morale until the end of the game

(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The 20th consecutive unbeaten competitive game did not change after the break, allowing them to conserve their strength ahead of Sunday's league summit clash against Liverpool at Anfield Road. Copenhagen's exit also increased Salzburg's chances of qualifying for the 2025 Club World Cup, which only PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal can prevent in the event of a CL triumph.