Manchester City advanced to the quarter-finals of the Champions League thanks to a spectacular victory over RB Leipzig which saw Erling Haaland score five goals in a performance that overshadowed the brilliance of Kevin De Bruyne.
City may have thought luck was against them early on as Ilkay Gundogan lifted a half volley over the bar and Haaland was prodded by Janis Blaswich. However, a somewhat controversial VAR call awarded them a penalty and the Norwegian netted beautifully to open the scoring.
De Bruyne then hit the crossbar and Haaland was on hand to nod after the rebound before scoring his third first-half goal when Ruben Dias’s shot deflected off the post and found its way.
Four more goals were scored in the second half. Ilkay Gundogan appeared at the end of Jack Grealish’s serve to drop for fourth before Haaland added two more in four minutes and was substituted just after the hour. De Bruyne continued to impress after his recent criticism and ended the game with a directed effort into the top corner with the last kick of the game.
Here’s how the players rated the match of the 1/8 finals of the Champions League:
Manchester
Ederson, 6
A nervous moment in the first half saw him sent off from the box and picked up a yellow card. It was the Brazilian’s only glimmer of excitement on a very quiet night.
John Stones, 6
Like Ederson, he wasn’t asked much in defense as Man City dominated throughout. He was solid when called upon, if not spectacular.
Manuel Akaya,
Missed two quick chances from the box in the first half but saw a chance to feed Kevin De Bruyne in the build-up to the second goal.
Reuben Dias, 7
Set-piece threats secured a hat-trick for Erling Haaland from a De Bruyne corner with a hard header against the post.
Nathan Ak, 6
City’s possession-based play saw him spend most of the game linking up with Jack Grealish on the left wing to create wide-field opportunities. He fulfilled his role conscientiously.
Rodríguez, 7
He won the penalty kick that opened the scoring after his header was stopped by the hand of Benjamin Henrichs. Bossed City’s midfielder and always looked ahead in the aisles.
Ilkay Gundogan, 8
Wasted a big chance early in the game by lifting a half volley over the crossbar and a second shot was thrown by a stretching Janis Blaswich before finally scoring in the second half.
Bernardo Silva, 6
The most reserved of all City midfielders, but only because David Raum was a determined defender in the first half. However, he cheated his way to the box a few times.
Kevin De Bruyne, 9
He seemed determined to show off his amazing abilities, creating plenty of chances from all over the pitch, hitting the crossbar from distance that secured Haaland’s second goal and capped off a brilliant performance with a last-minute goal. It was a pleasure to watch.
Jack Grealish, 7
Persistent threat from the left despite only 55 minutes played. Set up Ilkay Gundogan in the second half to end a decent night.
Erling Haaland, 10
Like De Bruyne, he wanted to make his mark on the game and scored a hat-trick in the first half with some accidental rebounds and a penalty kick. Added two more poachers who completed the second half before being replaced just after an hour. Fantastic performance by the striker.
substitutes
Phil Foden 6, Julian Alvarez 6, Sergio Gomez 6, Riyad Mahrez 6, Kalvin Phillips 6
RB Leipzig:
Blaswich 4, Henrichs 4, Orban 5, Gvardiol 5, Raum 6, Laimer 5, Haidara 6, Szoboszlai 5, Kampl 5, Forsberg 4, Werner 4.
Subs: Simakan 6, Poulsen 6, Silva 6, Olmo N/A, Klostermann N/A
