Julian Alvarez of Manchester City secured a crucial goal in the 87th minute, orchestrating a remarkable comeback from a two-goal deficit against RB Leipzig. This victory not only propelled the reigning European champions to a 3-2 triumph but also ensured their dominance at the top of Champions League Group G on Tuesday, with one more round of matches left.
In the second half, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden found the back of the net, salvaging City's performance after a lackluster first half. With this win, Pep Guardiola's squad accumulated 15 points from five games, solidifying their position. Meanwhile, Leipzig, who had already secured a spot in the last 16, concluded the match with nine points.
“First half was the worst I’ve seen us,” midfielder Foden told TNT. “Courage and motivation changed it around. This team has great mentality and its so nice to see.”
Lois Openda capitalized on a couple of defensive lapses from City, seizing the opportunity for both Leipzig goals. In the 13th minute, he exploited a defensive error as he sprinted onto a long ball from goalkeeper Janis Blaswich, which sailed over the nonchalant Manuel Akanji. Displaying similar ease in the 33rd minute, Openda evaded Ruben Dias with a skillful spin before finding the back of the net.
Erling Haaland, who had previously scored five goals against Leipzig in a decisive 7-0 victory during the Champions League last 16 in March, provided a glimmer of hope for stunned City fans at the Etihad Stadium. In the 54th minute, Haaland received a well-timed pass from Foden and delivered a precise low left-foot shot into the net.
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“We just needed that (first) goal to get going,” Foden said. “Even the fans were a lot louder after the goal. Once the first went in the motivation was there. We’ve got a great record at the Etihad and it only takes one goal to change things.”
City levelled with Foden’s excellent first touch and finish in the 70th and Alvarez fired the hosts ahead when Foden’s pass was deflected into his path for a close-range effort.
Guardiola’s side narrowly avoided their first defeat in European competition at the Etihad since a group stage loss to Olympique Lyonnais in 2018, which was also the last time City trailed by two goals the Champions League.
Three days after their 1-1 top-of-the-table Premier League draw with Liverpool, City looked like zombies through the first half, although they had a flurry of chances before the break, their best being Dias’s header over the bar.
It was Guardiola’s second comeback from a two-goal deficit in his Champions League managerial career after his Bayern Munich side rallied to beat Juventus in the 2016 quarter-finals.
City finish the group stage at Red Star Belgrade on 13 December.
Young Boys, who are third on four points, secured a place in the Europa league knockout round playoffs with a 2-0 win over Red Star. The Belgrade side are bottom with one point.
