An Erling Haaland double secured Manchester City a hard-fought win as Enzo Maresca’s side opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win at Porto.
Haaland, who had earlier squandered three good chances, headed home the opener just after half time before striking again in stoppage time to finally kill the contest. Manchester City had been below their best for much of the night in heavy rain in Portugal, and were denied several times by home goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
Still, though, this was a first home defeat of 2026 for Porto, leaving Maresca and his side pleased to emerge with three points from an at-times heated contest. Embarking on their first European adventure after the departure of Pep Guardiola, Manchester City handed a first start to Ayyoub Bouaddi in a new-look midfield duo with Enzo Fernandez as they look to build continuity to fight on all fronts again.
Follow all of the latest from the clash with our live blog below:
Erling Haaland strikes after half-time bust-up as Manchester City survive tricky trip to Porto
Tensions boiled over in the aftermath of a Marc Guehi clash with Porto’s Gabri Veiga late in the opening period at the Estadio do Dragao, leading to security staff stepping in as players and officials headed down the tunnel.
Haaland brushed off the furore to nod home after 47 minutes but City needed to cling on for much of the second half of a testing league phase encounter played largely in pouring rain.
Enzo Maresca reacts to Manchester City’s win
“I think we could have scored more goals, especially in the first half,” the Manchester City manager tells Prime Video. “We created enough chances to win the game. It is normal to come here and concede some noise. They are going to create something, but in the end they didn’t create a lot.
“I’m quite lucky because I have all of the squad that are good players. As a manager, it is easy, because you can give minutes to all of them. I think we will arrive there. We are trying to do different things. When there is space in behind, we need to play that kind of ball. We are going to use that option.
“It’s a special competition. All of the games are very difficult.”
FT: Porto 0-2 Manchester City
The official statistics show that Gianluigi Donnarumma didn’t have a save to make – for all Erling Haaland may talk up Porto’s qualities, it didn’t feel like we saw them anywhere near their best in an attacking sense tonight. A shame, in some ways. Real Betis and PSV are next for them in this competition after the international break.
Erling Haaland speaks to Prime Video after his double
“Amazing game against the champions of Portugal. We knew it was going to be a difficult fight. They are a top team. We have to deliver on the biggest stage and that’s what we did today.
“Honestly, we controlled the whole first half. I could have easily had a few more goals. They managed to push us for 25 minutes but we managed to pull through. These are the games we have to win. We’ve had a great start to the season.
“We have to learn. Enzo has to demand a lot from us, we have to demand a lot for each other. At Manchester City, you have to win games, you have to win trophies.”
FT: Porto 0-2 Manchester City
A first home defeat for Porto in 2026 – and you’d say it was deserved, on balance, even with Manchester City not at their best. Erling Haaland needed three excellent headed chances to open his account but his double secures a strong start to the Champions League campaign for Enzo Maresca and his side in what proved a tricky trip.
Porto 0-2 Manchester City, 90 + 5 minutes
A flurry of late chances for Manchester City, though they cannot beat Diogo Costa again. The Porto goalkeeper had a very good night; a number of his teammates did not.
Porto 0-2 Manchester City, 90 + 2 minutes
Handbags! Erling Haaland is dragged to the ground by Pablo Rosario, and the pair then have a bit of a grapple, like amateur wrestlers fighting for pinning position. It all threatens to erupt with each man refusing to let go of the other – a booking apiece, though a free kick for Manchester City.
Enzo Fernandez blasts that wide.
GOAL! Porto 0-2 MANCHESTER CITY (Erling Haaland, 90 +1 minutes)
That’ll settle it! Two on the night for Erling Haaland and three Champions League points for Manchester City!
Porto fail to clear their lines fully and Rayan Ait-Nouri keeps the pressure on. A cut-back is perfectly placed for Haaland to hit first time, and the next touch is with the back of the net.
