Phil Foden struck at the death as Manchester City defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in their first leg quarter-final UEFA Champions League tie at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
The City manager Pep Guardiola surprisingly opted to start without any recognized striker with Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus all dropped to the bench and Portugese star Bernardo Silva chosen to lead the line.
City took the lead in the 19th minute following a devastating counter-attack after Emre Can lost the ball in midfield. Kevin de Bruyne drove forward and teed off Foden on the far side.
The youngster appeared to have over-hit his cross to Riyad Mahrez but the Algerian showed nimble feet before providing a brilliant pass which was swept home by De Bruyne.
The home side then had a penalty correctly ruled out by VAR before Dortmund had a Jude Bellingham goal incorrectly ruled offside following a shocking howler by goalkeeper Ederson Moraes. Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan appeared to have sounded his whistle a little too early meaning the decision could not be reviewed by the VAR.
Opportunities came and went in the second half with Foden particularly wasteful as the Citizens attempted to extend their advantage. The plethora of missed chances would come back to haunt City as Dortmund claimed a potentially priceless away goals through Marco Reus with six minutes remaining.
The brilliant Erling Braut Haaland provided the assist with captain Reus sweeping home right-footed despite the best attempts of Ederson to keep out the danger. Foden then atoned for his earlier missed chances as he netted a simple goal with the last kick of regulation time after Ilkan Gundogan set things up for him on a place.
It’s evenly poised ahead of the second leg match to be played on Wednesday next week.
Story by Sammy Wejinya
