Copenhagen 1-3 Manchester City: Goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden see City secure first-leg lead
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Updated 13/02/2024 at 23:15 GMT
A rare Ederson howler looked as though it could put Manchester City in some bother at Copenhagen in the two sides’ UEFA Champions League last-16 first-leg encounter, but from 1-1 Pep Guardiola’s side rallied and secured a two-goal first-leg lead after Bernardo Silva’s sublime finish built on Kevin De Bruyne’s equally impressive first-half effort.
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Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden were on target as Manchester City took control of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie with FC Copenhagen courtesy of a 3-1 win in the first leg at Parken.
The visitors monopolised the ball throughout and there were ominous signs for the Danes as early as the 10th minute when de Bruyne guided a superb, low shot into the bottom corner.
Copenhagen, who were appearing in their first competitive match of 2024, had barely entered the City half, but sent the Parken crowd into raptures when debutant Magnus Mattsson made the most of a disastrous error from Ederson to guide a lovely 20-yard finish into the corner on 34 minutes.
The reigning champions responded immediately and Silva flicked an impudent effort into the corner on the stroke of half-time to restore their advantage, before Foden added a third in stoppage time at the end of the contest.
City will now switch focus back to a Premier League match at home to Chelsea on Saturday, with the second leg of this tie not until March 6.
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'Sublime finish' from Silva puts City back in front in Copenhagen
Talking Point – Man City stay perfect with last eight very much on the horizon
When the draw was made, few observers would have given FC Copenhagen much hope of producing an upset and the pattern of the contest right from kick-off showed just why.
City were utterly dominant and it always seemed like a question of whether they would pretty much kill the tie prior to the second leg at the Etihad rather than if there was a shock on the cards.
Foden’s late strike pretty much achieves that on a strong overall night, although the loss of Jack Grealish to an early injury was a blow.
At the halfway point in the tie the Citizens remain perfect in the competition with seven wins from seven and with KDB back pulling the strings and Haaland fit again, it’s hard to look beyond them as favourites to retain their crown.
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Watch: 'Beyond superlatives!' - De Bruyne lashes City in front in Copenhagen
Player of the Match - Kevin De Bruyne (Man City)
The Belgian is playing like he’s never been away. This was another a majestic display as he followed up a sublime opener with a couple of assists.
Player Ratings
FC COPENHAGEN: Grabara 8, Diks 7, Vavro 7, Claesson 7, Jelert 6, McKenna 7, Achouri 6, Falk 6, Mattson 7, Diogo 6, Elyounoussi 6. Subs: Cornelius 6, O Hojlund 6, Sorensen n/a, Larsson n/a.
MAN CITY: Ederson 5, Walker 7, Stones 7, Dias 7, Ake 8, Rodri 7, De Bruyne 9, Bernardo 8, Foden 8, Grealish 6, Haaland 5. Subs: Doku 7, Nunes 6.
Match Highlights
10’ – GOAL! – FC Copenhagen 0-1 Man City: (De Bruyne). Foden spies KDB's run into the right channel and the Belgian does the rest with a clinical low finish into the far corner.
34’ – GOAL! – FC Copenhagen 1-1 Man City: (Mattsson). The stadium erupts! Ederson gives the ball away cheaply and he's punished as Mohamed Elyounoussi's blocked shot falls for Mattsson to steer a sublime first-time effort into the corner from 20 yards out.
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'It's a gift!' - Ederson howler sees Copenhagen draw level through Mattsson
45’ – GOAL! – FC Copenhagen 1-2 Man City: (Bernardo Silva). It's a wonderful finish from the Portugal star as he flicks a delightful effort beyond the keeper and into the far corner from KDB's deflected pass.
90+2’ – GOAL! – FC Copenhagen 1-3 Man City: (Foden). Foden puts the seal on the victory with a clinical finish from De Bruyne's smart cut back from the right.
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