- Manchester City beat Belgrade 3-2 on Wednesday night to reach the Champions League last 16 with a 100% record
- The Cytizens join Liverpool as the only other English team in history to win all six Champions League group games
Manchester City beat Belgrade 3-2 on Wednesday night to reach the Champions League last 16 with a 100% record. Academy graduate Micah Hamilton, Oscar Bobb and Kalvin Phillips scored as City stretched their unbeaten run in Europe to 20 games. The Cytizens join Liverpool as the only other English team in history to win all six Champions League group games.
Manchester City had already sealed a spot in Champions League Group G prior to last night’s fixture and it was no surprise that Pep Guardiola gave his youngsters a chance. Hamilton’s inclusion to the squad that faced Belgrade was the main headline and he didn’t disappoint.
Kalvin Phillips scored a late penalty as Manchester City beat Belgrade 3-2. Photo/ SuperSport.
The 20-year-old, who joined City’s academy at the age of nine, netted in the 19th minute when he cut around a Belgrade defender then fired from a tight angle into the far corner. Bobb, who has already made a big impression this season, then doubled his side’s lead in the 62nd minute when he dribbled at Belgrade’s defence before tucking a shot into the bottom corner.
In-Beom Hwang pulled one back for the hosts before Kalvin Phillips smashed home a late penalty to increase City’s lead. There was still time to play and Aleksandar Katai scored for Belgrade in added time.
The 3-2 victory was Manchester City’s eighth win in a row – six in this campaign and two last season. Speaking after the match, manager Pep Guardiola felt the performance was another sign of how strong City’s academy is.
“Congratulations to all at the academy for the last years. How many players came up, how many players we sold who are playing already in the Premier League and Championship, and more? It is not easy to give opportunities at this level. It is really good to see them play. I’m very pleased for the result, for the performance in general, the effort from everyone, how the seniors helped the young lads.” BBC Sports quotes Pep Guardiola.
How Manchester City Beat Belgrade
Having won their opening five group matches, Manchester City were already guaranteed to finish top of Group G. This gave Guardiola the luxury of giving some of his youngsters a chance to play in Europe’s top competition. Mateo Kovacic and Jack Grealish were the only City players to keep their places from Saturday’s 2-1 win at Luton.
Whereas several first eleven players were dropped dropped to the bench, Ederson did not travel along with the injured Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland.
City started the game well and were already in front after 19 minutes of play. It was academy star Hamilton who gave the visitors the lead in style. The 20-year-old jinked into the area before unleashing a ferocious strike that went into the roof of the net.
Pep Guardiola’s side were not comfortable with the 1-0 lead and seemed determined to double their advantage. However, they had to wait until the 60th minute when Oscar Bobb burst into the area before placing an effort into the bottom corner.
Manchester City beat Belgrade 3-2 on Wednesday night to stretch their unbeaten run in Europe to 20 games. Photo/ ESPN.
At this point, it seemed as if City were going to win the match comfortably. However, a spirited Belgrade side hit back through substitute In-Beom Hwang in the 76th minute after a neat interplay between him and Osman Bukari.
Belgrade found themselves two goals behind again when Hamilton was fouled in the box and Kalvin Phillips converted from the spot. It was the former Leeds man first goal for Manchester City. Aleksandar Katai then reduced the hosts arrears when he scored in stoppage time. City rounded off their group stage campaign on a high following the 3-2 win.
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