- Manchester City 4-1 Dortmund : Foden 22’, 56’, Haaland 28’, Cherki 90+1’ – Anton 72’
It was a new-look Manchester City that toyed with Dortmund — a side gradually embracing a more rock-and-roll style that perfectly fits its quick, dynamic players.
Known for pulling off big upsets in the Champions League, Dortmund arrived at the Etihad hoping to add another famous scalp. But from the opening seconds, it was clear this would be a masterclass from the home side. By letting the Germans have the ball, City lured them forward, creating space to exploit in transition — and that’s exactly how Phil Foden opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. Soon after, Erling Haaland doubled the lead, punishing Dortmund’s defensive gaps. The score could have been far heavier if not for an outstanding Gregor Kobel, who made six saves in the first half alone.
After the break, City kept dismantling Dortmund’s back line. Foden struck again with an almost identical finish to his first, curling it neatly into the bottom-left corner. To cap off the night, French prodigy Rayan Cherki scored his first-ever Champions League goal — a moment that symbolized the next generation rising at the Etihad.
Quietly but surely, Manchester City are rebuilding a team that looks ready to do something special again.