Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win away to Porto.
The Norway striker was kept out by Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa three times in the first half. Costa produced a series of excellent saves to deny Haaland and keep the hosts level.
But Haaland finally broke the deadlock two minutes after the restart. Enzo Fernandez delivered a cross into the box and Haaland guided a header into the bottom corner.
The goal changed the momentum of the match. Porto became more aggressive and put City under sustained pressure, while the visitors struggled to maintain the control they had shown before the break.
City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was fortunate when he rushed from his goal and challenged Pepe. Porto thought they had won a penalty, but the forward was ruled offside.
Donnarumma had another nervous moment when William Gomes charged down his attempted clearance. The ball, however, rolled narrowly wide of the post.
Porto could not turn their pressure into a goal and City eventually found the decisive second in stoppage time.
Rayan Ait-Nouri sent the ball across the box and Haaland calmly finished into the bottom corner. It was his 59th Champions League goal in 59 appearances.
The brace also took Haaland to 167 goals for City, making him the club’s third-highest scorer of all time.
The result continued a strong start to life under Enzo Maresca, who replaced Pep Guardiola as City manager this season. The club spent heavily during the summer, with a reported £460 million invested in new players.
Ayyoub Bouaddi, signed from Lille, made his first start for City and impressed alongside Fernandez during a dominant first half.
City created several chances but could not beat Costa before the interval. The Porto goalkeeper made another outstanding save from Haaland after a move involving Bouaddi and Phil Foden.
Porto improved after falling behind but lacked the finishing quality needed to take advantage of City’s mistakes.
After a late collapse against Coventry in the Premier League on Saturday, City showed greater discipline in Portugal and secured a valuable three points.
Haaland once again provided the difference when City needed him most.
