- Manchester City hosted Sevilla in match day six of the UEFA Champions League at the Etihad
- City had already secured top spot qualification and Sevill needed a win to secure a spot in the Europa League
- Goals from teenager Rico Lewis, Alvarez and Mahrez ensured City finished their group matches in style
Manchester City finished off a successful UEFA Champions League Group G campaign, defeating Sevilla 3-1 thanks to a comeback by teenage Rico Lewis.
The Etihad Stadium was startled into silence when Rafa Mir gave the visitors the lead on Wednesday since City had Erling Haaland out injured and rested several important players.
Lewis, a 17-year-old right back, scored for City to draw even in the 52nd minute of his complete debut, beating Karim Benzema’s previous record for the youngest player to score in the Champions League on his first start in the competition.
Manchester City teenager Rico Lewis celebrates after scoring the equaliser against Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League at Etihad. | PHOTO: Courtesy |
After setting up Lewis’ equalizer, Julian Avarez scored with 17 seconds left before laying the ball off for Riyad Mahrez to seal the victory.
Within two minutes, City came near after a botched pass from Yassine Bounou by Cole Palmer, but Stefan Ortega saved Mir’s low shot at the other end.
Mir’s header went just wide, but City disregarded the cautions, and after 31 minutes, it was third time lucky for the Sevilla striker as he nodded Isco’s cross from the right side into the top-right corner.
The pressure from City ultimately paid off as Lewis pounced on Alvarez’s feed and sent a shot into the top of the net.
In an effort to complete the comeback, Guardiola substituted Kevin De Bruyne. The playmaker had been on the field for just three minutes when he released Alvarez, who then circled Bounou before scoring.
Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring the second for his side against Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League. | PHOTO: Courtesy |
Alvarez did not stop there, though; he joined a high press before connecting with Mahrez, who finished the goal with a left-footed shot.
Manchester City’s record-breaking Rico Lewis became the youngest player to score on his debut Champions League start, earning praise from manager Pep Guardiola.
an altered In their last Group G match, the City team fell behind early on thanks to Rafa Mir’s header, but at the age of 17 years and 346 days, Lewis smashed home to tie the game and break Karim Benzema’s 2005 record.
Lewis’ intelligence was praised by Guardiola in his post-game interview with BT Sport, and he added that City’s victory demonstrated the Etihad Stadium’s bright future.
“What a goal, he’s a fantastic player. He’s so intelligent,” Guardiola said of the right-back. “Apart from the skills, he’s so intelligent, so clever.
“He understands everything. He made a fantastic goal, high past the goalkeeper, and played really well.
“We have a young squad, we have some older players but it’s a young squad. Julian is young but top-class, and Rico, and of course, Sergio [Gomez].
Manchester City will next be oon action on Saturday when they host Fulham in the Premier League at the Etihad.
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