Phil Foden stole the show as Manchester City crushed Borussia Dortmund 4-1, ending the German side’s unbeaten Champions League run and keeping City’s own perfect record intact.
The England star netted twice in a masterful display, with Erling Haaland also tormenting his old club. Waldemar Anton’s late strike was mere consolation, while Rayan Cherki sealed the rout in stoppage time.
Foden tested Gregor Kobel early, forcing two saves before breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute. Latching onto Tijjani Reijnders’ throughball, he spun into space and curled an exquisite shot into the bottom-left corner.
Haaland doubled the lead just seven minutes later, unmarked to smash Jeremy Doku’s cutback home first-time. Kobel denied Nico O’Reilly and Reijnders before halftime, but City’s pressure told again in the 57th.
Reijnders found Foden once more; the midfielder sliced between defenders and rifled into the same corner for his 20th Champions League goal. Dortmund pushed back, and Anton beat Gianluigi Donnarumma low, but Cherki’s 91st-minute drive restored the three-goal margin.
Since 2023-24, Foden leads Premier League players with 10 outside-the-box goals for City across all competitions. His brace lifted City to fourth in the table.
Haaland, meanwhile, continued his scorching form with his 18th goal in 14 games this season, none from penalties.
City were ruthless, generating 1.94 xG from 18 shots (11 on target), while Dortmund managed 0.94 xG from 12 attempts.
The hosts dominated possession and chances, underlining their clinical edge in a one-sided affair at the Etihad.
City return to Premier League action at the weekend when they host defending champions Liverpool at the Etihad stadium while Dortmund will look to return to winning ways when they travel to face Hamburger SV in the Bundesliga as well.
