The UEFA Champions League: Manchester City’s Erling Haaland scored his 40th goal in the tournament, becoming the fastest player to do so, as Manchester City came back from a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 against RB Leipzig and secure the top spot in Group G.
Julian Alvarez scored in the 87th minute, helping City recover from a 2-0 deficit and clinch the top spot in Champions League Group G with one match remaining. Haaland and Phil Foden also scored in the second half, giving Pep Guardiola’s team 15 points after five games. Leipzig, who had also qualified for the last 16, finished with nine points.
Haaland set another record, becoming the fastest player to reach 40 Champions League goals. He had become the quickest to score 50 Premier League goals on the previous Saturday.
Leipzig’s Lois Openda capitalized on City’s defensive errors for both of their goals, scoring in the 13th and 33rd minutes. Guardiola praised the team’s reaction, saying “The team runs and fights and has spirit.”
Haaland scored City’s first goal in the 54th minute, followed by Foden’s goal in the 70th minute, and Alvarez’s goal shortly after. Guardiola’s team narrowly avoided their first European defeat at the Etihad since 2018.
City will finish the group stage at Red Star Belgrade on Dec. 13. Young Boys secured a place in the Europa League knockout round playoffs with a 2-0 home win over Red Star.