Erling Haaland Matches Aguero's Record with Two Goals in Tough Manchester City Win at Porto
Erling Haaland scored twice to secure a 2-0 victory for Manchester City against Porto in their Champions League opener at Estadio do Dragao. His two goals tied him with Sergio Aguero as City's joint-top scorer in the competition.
Striker Breaks the Deadlock Twice
City started their group stage campaign strongly, with Haaland opening the scoring through a precise header. Later in the second half, he finished from close range to double the lead. The win kept Enzo Maresca's team perfect this season.
Haaland Praises Team's Grit
"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." — Erling Haaland
He noted that although the first half was mostly controlled by City, Porto’s intense pressure in the second half tested them for about 25 minutes. Still, they managed to hold on and finish the game strong. Haaland emphasized the importance of winning such tough games early in the Champions League to avoid mounting pressure later.
Matching Aguero’s Club Record
With these goals, Haaland reached 36 Champions League goals for City, matching the record held by club legend Sergio Aguero in just 40 appearances. He reflected on the team's mentality:
"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 about the team’s performance in a hostile stadium, Haaland said he hoped Maresca was pleased with the effort, noting the incredible atmosphere they faced.
Looking Ahead to the Manchester Derby
Having won their last four matches in all competitions, City turns back to the Premier League. Haaland’s sharp form will be key when they face local rivals Manchester United in a highly anticipated derby this weekend. The confidence gained from this away victory provides solid momentum.
Upcoming Fixtures:
- 12 Sept 2026, 19:00 - Casa Pia vs FC Porto (Liga Portugal)
- 13 Sept 2026, 17:30 - Manchester United vs Manchester City (Premier League)
