Champions League Update

By: Gyang Dakwo

Erling Haaland bagged a brace as Manchester City booked their spot in the UEFA Champions League last 16 with a routine 3-0 home victory over Young Boys.

The Norwegian striker was a doubt coming into the game following his early withdrawal against Bournemouth at the weekend, but he showed no sign of any issues as he coolly converted a 23rd-minute penalty to open the scoring.

City were comfortable throughout and doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time when Phil Foden rampaged by his marker on the right before calmly stroking a low shot into the far corner.

Haaland added his second of the night shortly after the interval with a 25-yard bullet to take his tally for the campaign to 15 in total.

The result means The Citizens qualify from Group G with two games to spare and will confirm top spot if they avoid defeat at home to RB Leipzig on Matchday 5.

In Italy, AC Milan came from behind to beat Paris Saint-Germain to leave UEFA Champions League Group F wide open.
PSG looked well set to cement their place at the top of the table when Milan Skriniar gave them the lead, but goals from Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud turned the contest on its head.

It did not look likely when Skriniar stooped low to nod home a flick-on from Marquinhos on nine minutes.

Milan responded superbly, with Leao acrobatically volleying home after Gianluigi Donnarumma – who had been given a hot reception by the fans of his former club – had beaten away a shot from Giroud.

Kylian Mbappe wasted a big chance for PSG when stabbing wide after racing clear, while Ousmane Dembele saw a shot crash off the bar.

Milan snatched the win on 50 minutes when Giroud rose high to head home a superb cross from Theo Hernandez.

The win lifts Milan to five points, one behind PSG. Borussia Dortmund are the group leaders after beating Newcastle earlier in the day.

Meanwhile Shakhtar Donetsk breathed life into Group H with a 1-0 win over Barcelona.

Barca went into the game knowing a win would guarantee their progression to the knockout stages with two games to spare, but they were extremely disappointing in slipping to defeat at the Volksparkstadion.
Danylo Sikan’s header on 40 minutes was worthy of winning any game as Shakhtar opened up the group.

Shakhtar began brightly, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen had to stand tall to deny Mykola Matviyenko.

The Ukrainian side restricted Barca to shots from distance in the first half – Raphinha lashing over from 20 yards being the most notable effort – and it came as no surprise when Shakhtar went ahead with a glorious goal.

For Newcastle United, their chances of qualification were dealt a crushing blow with defeat at Borussia Dortmund.

After starting their Champions League campaign with a draw at AC Milan and win over Paris Saint-Germain, The Magpies were beaten by Dortmund last month and the German side did the double at Signal Iduna Park.

Niclas Fullkrug gave Dortmund the lead on 26 minutes, firing home from close range after Newcastle failed to make the clearance on a number of occasions.

Newcastle were unable to find a response, and Julian Brandt sealed the win with a breakaway goal on 79 minutes.

The victory lifted Dortmund to seven points, while Newcastle are in fourth in Group F on four points.