Erling Haaland scored his 13th career goal against RB Leipzig to secure a 3-2 away victory for Manchester City in a chaotic Champions League encounter. The win makes City the first team to defeat Leipzig at home this season and places them in a strong position in the league phase.
Early Action and First-Half Breakthrough
Leipzig started strongly in the opening stages, as Antonio Nusa tested City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma with a shot that was palmed over the bar, before Christoph Baumgartner forced another impressive save. Phil Foden curled an effort narrowly wide for the visitors before the breakthrough arrived through an own goal. Nico O’Reilly pulled the ball back, and Castello Lukeba inadvertently turned it into his own net.
The own goal marked the first time Leipzig had conceded at home this season. Following the break, the hosts responded strongly as Nusa and Baumgartner drew further saves from Donnarumma, who recently faced scrutiny following a defeat at Aston Villa.
Second-Half Chaos and Haaland’s Winner
Leipzig found an equaliser when Ridle Baku broke down the right flank and struck an ambitious shot from a tight angle that beat Donnarumma at his near post. After Ezechiel Banzuzi hit the side-netting, City restored their lead when Enzo Fernandez headed home from an outstanding left-wing cross by Iliman Ndiaye.
The hosts equalised just three minutes later when Nusa collected a lofted pass from Christopher Nkunku and beat Donnarumma with a low drive. Although Maarten Vandevoordt made a fine save to deny Rayan Cherki, City claimed the victory when Elliot Anderson surged down the right and delivered a cross for Haaland to finish at the far post.
David Raum hit the crossbar for Leipzig in the closing stages, while Cherki struck the woodwork and Haaland was denied by Vandevoordt as Enzo Maresca’s side finished the match under pressure.
