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Manchester City came from behind to beat RB Leipzig 3-2 tonight (November 28) on a night Erling Haaland reached 40 UEFA Champions League goals.
Pep Guardiola's men headed into tonight's game having drawn their last two games across competitions. They played out an enthralling 4-4 draw with Chelsea and a tense 2-2 draw against Liverpool in the Premier League.
Manchester City had already qualified for the last 16 before tonight. But, a draw or win would see them confirmed as Group G winners.
The in-form Lois Openda was at the double for Die Roten Bullen and his first arrived in the 13th minute. The Belgian forward broke free of Manuel Akanji after being played a long ball by Leipzig goalkeeper Janis Blaswich.
Openda then struck a fine effort from 15 yards out to give the visitors the lead. Akanji really should have dealt with the striker who shushed the home fans while celebrating.
Openda doubled the Bundesliga outfit's lead in the 33rd minute and he was giving Manchester City's defense all sorts of problems. This time he glided past Ruben Dias before racing through on goal, tricking his way past Josko Gvardiol and striking.
However, City halved the deficit in the 54th minute when the surprisingly quiet Haaland got himself on the scoresheet. The Norweigan superstar was found by Phil Foden and he smashed the ball past Blaswich. He became the fastest player in history to reach 40 Champions League goals as a result.
Foden then equalized in the 70th minute thanks to an assist from former Leipzig defender Gvardiol. He fired home a superb effort to equal matters at the Etihad.
Manchester City then sealed a comeback victory through Julian Alvarez's 87th-minute winner. Foden and Jeremy Doku combined well before a cross fell to their Argentine teammate and he slotted home with aplomb.
One fan hailed Haaland who he insists is better than Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe:
"Haaland is so clear of Mbappe."
Another fan reckons City might win the treble again:
"Man City might just do the treble again lol."
Here's how fans on X (formerly Twitter) reacted to Manchester City's comeback win against Leipzig:
Glenn Hoddle takes aim at Manchester City's Manuel Akanji for switching off during Leipzig's opener
Glenn Hoddle slammed Akanji for his lapse in concentration which allowed Openda to net Leipzig's opener. The Swiss defender didn't put up much of a fight to beat the Belgium international to the ball and he was subsequently punished.
The former England manager told TNT Sports:
"There’s a long ball and we’ve seen them play through the 18-yard line. It’s just one long punt from the keeper. Look where he’s [Openda's] got in between the two centre-backs to start his run. It’s just so poor defending."
Akanji has earned plaudits since joining Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in September 2022. The 28-year-old has made 17 appearances across competitions this season, helping his side keep three clean sheets. But, tonight's performance was one to forget for the Switzerland international.
