Haaland nets brace as Man City beat Porto 2-0 in Champions League opener

Haaland double fires Man City past Porto in UCL

Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City began their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win at Porto, with the Norwegian moving to 167 goals for the club.

Haaland moved to joint-third and then outright third on Manchester City’s all-time scoring list with a brace in...

Erling Haaland scored a second-half header as Manchester City opened their UEFA Champions League Phase with a 2-0 win away to Porto. It was the hosts’ first home defeat of 2026 in all competitions.

City’s last trip to Estadio do Dragao ended in defeat to Chelsea in the 2021 Champions League final. The home crowd were loud from the start, hoping to inflict more pain on Enzo Maresca’s side.

City tried to take the sting out of the atmosphere by controlling possession early, but it was Porto who had the first shot on target. Gianluigi Donnarumma got down low to block Gabri Veiga’s effort at the near post with his legs before the flag eventually went up for offside.

City’s first real opening came on 21 minutes. Phil Foden drove to the byline and pulled the ball back for Haaland, whose strong header was palmed over by a superb save from Diogo Costa.

Porto’s goalkeeper was busy in the first half, making five saves. He then smothered Foden’s low shot before producing a superb double save three minutes later to keep out Haaland and Rayan Cherki, which drew huge cheers from the home crowd.

The noise got even louder when Veiga went down after an aerial clash with Marc Guehi. The incident left Porto boss Francesco Farioli furious on his Champions League managerial debut.

Haaland finally got his goal less than two minutes after the restart, turning in Enzo Fernandez’s cross off the post. It was his fourth goal in three games in all competitions, and took him level with joint-third on City’s all-time scoring list with 166 goals.

It was only the second goal Porto had let in across all competitions this season, but the hosts hit back with their best period of the game.

Donnarumma was first let off by the offside flag after he fouled Pepe as the winger looked to head home. Then Alberto Costa headed just wide and Alan Varela dragged a shot narrowly past the post.

City were under pressure, but they weathered it. Haaland then made it 2-0 in stoppage time, slotting home to move outright third on City’s all-time scoring list with 167 goals.

It was only the second goal Porto had let in across all competitions this season, but the hosts hit back with their best period of the game.

Donnarumma was first let off by the offside flag after he fouled Pepe as the winger looked to head home. Then Alberto Costa headed just wide and Alan Varela dragged a shot narrowly past the post.

Haaland double ⚽⚽#UCL pic.twitter.com/h0awmBJuNc

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 8, 2026

City were under pressure, but they weathered it. Haaland then made it 2-0 in stoppage time, slotting home to move outright third on City’s all-time scoring list with 167 goals.

It made no difference, as Enzo Maresca kicked off his Champions League tenure at City with a win. City have now won their opening game of the competition in 7 of the last 8 seasons, with one draw.

For Porto, it was their first home defeat of 2026 in all competitions and the end of their 100% record this term. They have also won just 2 of their last 17 games against English sides, drawing 4 and losing 11.