Manchester City 3-0 Young Boys: Erling Haaland bags double as Pep Guardiola’s side cruise into last 16

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.

The home side 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.

Young Boys’ misery was further compounded moments later when they were reduced to 10-men following Sandro Lauper’s second yellow card.

Man City had opportunities to add to their margin of victory but couldn’t find the net as they cantered through the final half an hour.

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.

Next up, Man City visit Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday. Young Boys host Luzern in the Swiss Super League on Saturday.

When the draw for the group stage was made, there were very few observers who would have felt the holders would have much trouble in terms of progressing – and so it has proved.

As Pep put it in his pre-match media conference, they can now ‘park the car’ until the New Year and focus on the Premier League and the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.

For Haaland, it was quite a busy evening with plenty packed into his hour-long stint on the pitch.

A cool spot kick was followed by an imitation of Didier Drogba’s old goal celebration, which was the City striker’s response to a challenge where the Chelsea legend asked him to copy his or Gary Lineker’s trademark salute after scoring.

He was then caught on camera saying ‘you can’t do this’ as he reluctantly passed his shirt to Mohamed Ali Camara at half-time.

It was too early in the Norwegian’s view, and he probably had the same view of his withdrawal on the hour, which denied him the chance of a hat-trick.

The hit-man plundered his obligatory UEFA Champions League goals in just over an hour of play to brush aside any lingering fears over a knock that also led to a Bournemouth blank. He’s very much looking back in the groove, and the extra half-hour of rest means he should be hungry ahead of the clash at Chelsea at the weekend.

Man City: Ederson 6, Walker 7, Stones 6, Dias 7, Gvardiol 7, Kovacic 8, Lewis 7, Nunes 7, Foden 8, Grealish 7, Haaland 8*. Subs: Ake 6, Phillips 6, Bobb 6, Doku 7.

Young Boys: Racioppi 7, Janko 6, Amenda 6, Camara 6, Benito 6, Garcia 6, Niasse 6, Lauper 3, Ugrinic 6, Elia 5, Itten 5. Subs: Chaiwa 6, Blum 6, Persson 5, Ganvoula 5, Males n/a.

23’ – GOAL! Man City 1-0 Young Boys(Haaland): Haaland steps up and sends the keeper the wrong way with a clinical low spot kick into the corner.

45+1’ – GOAL! Man City 2-0 Young Boys (Foden): Foden takes Grealish’s pass on the charge on the right side, surges beyond his marker and coolly places the ball into the far corner of the net.

52’ – GOAL! Man City 3-0 Young Boys (Haaland): Haaland doubles his own tally for the evening as he turns on to Lewis’ pass and angles a stunning 25-yard shot into the far corner.

53’ – YOUNG BOYS RED CARD! Sandro Lauper lunges into a nasty challenge on Ake and picks up a second caution. YB are down to 10 men.

• Halland has netted 39 goals in 34 appearances in the UEFA Champions League.
• Manchester City have become the 12th team to score 250 UEFA Champions League goals; they’ve reached the milestone in fewer games than any other side (119).