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Erling Haaland Matches Aguero's Record with Brace in Man City's Tough Win at Porto

Erling Haaland scored two goals to match Sergio Aguero's record, guiding Manchester City to a 2-0 triumph over Porto in their Champions League opener at Estadio do Dragao. The Norwegian striker praised the team's grit under pressure, highlighting how the squad managed to overcome a challenging environment on the road.

Striker Leads the Charge with Two Goals

City kicked off their Champions League campaign by securing all three points in Portugal. Haaland opened the scoring with a precise header and later sealed the win with a close-range finish late in the second half. This victory kept the team’s perfect run alive for the season under coach Enzo Maresca.

Haaland Praises Team's Determination Amid Pressure

Speaking to Amazon Prime, Haaland described the match as a tough battle. He said, "It was a difficult fight, man against man. They are a top team, honestly they are impressive. They play amazing football so well done to them, but with all the pressure we had to deliver on the biggest stage. That's what we did today."He added that while City controlled much of the first half and created many chances, the second half brought intense pressure from Porto for about 25 minutes. Still, City held firm and finished strong.

Haaland emphasized the importance of winning games early in the Champions League to avoid mounting pressure later, noting, "These are the games that we have to win. We have had a great start to the season."

Matching Aguero’s Club Record

Haaland’s brace marked his 36th Champions League goal for City, putting him level with Aguero as the club’s joint-top scorer in the competition after only 40 appearances. Reflecting on the team's mindset, Haaland said, "We have to demand a lot from each other, and we have to win games. At Man City you have to win games and you have to win trophies."

When asked if Maresca would be pleased with the performance in such a hostile setting, Haaland responded, "I hope so. We win away with a difficult game. Look at this atmosphere it was unreal at times. I hope he's happy."

Focus Shifts to Premier League and Upcoming Manchester Derby

With four consecutive wins across competitions, City turn their attention back to the Premier League. Haaland’s sharp finishing will be crucial as City prepare to face local rivals Manchester United in the upcoming derby. Their resilient away win at Porto sets a positive tone before one of the season’s most intense clashes.

  • FC Porto vs Manchester City: 0-2
  • Date: 8 September 2026
  • Goalscorer(s): Erling Haaland (2)
  • Competition: UEFA Champions League Group Stage
  • Venue: Estadio do Dragao

Next Fixtures:

  • 12 Sept 2026, Casa Pia vs FC Porto, Liga Portugal, 19:00
  • 13 Sept 2026, Manchester United vs Manchester City, Premier League, 17:30

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