Manchester City came from behind to beat FC Copenhagen 3-2 in a thrilling UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match on Tuesday night. The Premier League leaders, who have won 21 consecutive games in all competitions, faced a tough challenge from the Danish champions, who took the lead twice in the first half. However, City showed their quality and resilience to turn the game around and secure a vital away win.
Copenhagen stun City with early goal
The hosts started the game with confidence and aggression, pressing City high up the pitch and disrupting their rhythm. Copenhagen took a shock lead in the seventh minute, when winger Mohamed Daramy intercepted a poor pass from John Stones and raced clear to slot the ball past Ederson. Daramy, who is only 18 years old, became the youngest player to score in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
City were rattled by the early setback and struggled to create clear chances in the first half. Their best opportunity came in the 25th minute, when Kevin De Bruyne curled a free kick towards the top corner, but Copenhagen goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson made a superb save to tip the ball over the bar.
City equalize through Gundogan penalty
City finally found a way through in the 38th minute, when they were awarded a penalty after Joao Cancelo was fouled by Jens Stage in the box. Ilkay Gundogan, who has been in prolific form this season, stepped up and calmly sent Johnsson the wrong way to level the score. Gundogan, who has scored 13 goals in his last 15 games, became the first City player to score in four consecutive Champions League games.
However, City’s joy was short-lived, as Copenhagen restored their lead just two minutes later. A long throw-in from Bryan Oviedo caused chaos in the City defense, and striker Jonas Wind headed the ball past Ederson from close range. Wind, who scored a hat-trick in Copenhagen’s 4-0 win over Brondby on Saturday, celebrated his 22nd birthday with a memorable goal.
City turn the tide in the second half
City came out for the second half with more urgency and intensity, and soon took control of the game. They equalized again in the 51st minute, when De Bruyne played a brilliant through ball to Raheem Sterling, who rounded Johnsson and tapped the ball into the empty net. Sterling, who had missed a couple of chances in the first half, scored his 100th goal for City in all competitions.
City completed their comeback in the 65th minute, when they took the lead for the first time in the game. A corner from De Bruyne was met by a powerful header from Ruben Dias, who scored his first goal for City since joining from Benfica last summer. Dias, who has been a rock at the back for City, showed his attacking threat with a bullet header that gave Johnsson no chance.
Copenhagen hold on to keep the tie alive
Copenhagen did not give up and tried to find a way back into the game, but City defended well and limited their chances. The hosts had a penalty appeal in the 77th minute, when Wind went down under a challenge from Dias, but the referee waved play on and the VAR did not intervene.
City had a chance to extend their lead in the 85th minute, when substitute Phil Foden broke free and fired a shot towards the bottom corner, but Johnsson made a fine save to keep the score at 3-2. The final whistle blew and City celebrated a hard-fought win, while Copenhagen applauded their fans for their support.
What’s next for both teams?
The second leg of the tie will take place on Wednesday, March 7, at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. City will be confident of progressing to the quarter-finals, as they have a one-goal advantage and three away goals. However, Copenhagen will hope to pull off a miracle and upset the odds, as they did in the group stage when they beat Ajax 2-1 in Amsterdam.
Before the second leg, both teams will return to their domestic duties. City will face Arsenal on Sunday, February 18, in the Premier League, where they have a 10-point lead over second-placed Manchester United. Copenhagen will face Midtjylland on Saturday, February 17, in the Danish Superliga, where they are third in the table, 13 points behind the leaders.