Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City secured a crucial 3-1 victory over Belgian side Club Brugge at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, keeping their hopes alive in the newly revamped edition of the UEFA Champions League. The reigning English champions needed a win to progress in the tournament, but they faced an early scare from their spirited opponents.
Despite City’s dominance in possession, it was Brugge who took a surprise lead just before halftime. Nigerian midfielder Raphael Onyedika stunned the home crowd with a well-taken goal, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to put the visitors ahead. The goal silenced the Etihad, leaving Guardiola’s side with an uphill battle in the second half.
However, the hosts responded swiftly after the break. Just eight minutes into the second half, Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovačić leveled the score, bringing City back into the contest with a well-placed finish. The equalizer reignited the home side’s momentum, and their relentless attacking pressure soon forced an error from Brugge. In the 65th minute, Joel Ordonez inadvertently turned Joško Gvardiol’s pass into his own net, gifting City the lead and completing their comeback.
With Brugge now on the back foot, City continued to press forward in search of a decisive third goal. Their persistence paid off in the 77th minute when Savinho, who had earlier played a crucial role in the second goal, found the back of the net. The Brazilian winger latched onto a perfectly weighted pass from John Stones before unleashing a precise low shot past the Brugge goalkeeper, sealing the victory for Guardiola’s men.
The win ensures Manchester City’s progression in the competition as they continue their quest for European glory. Meanwhile, Brugge’s valiant effort was not enough to upset the defending champions, who once again demonstrated their resilience and attacking prowess on the continental stage.
