Manchester City beat RB Leipzig 3-2 at the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday in the Champions League, with Erling Haaland scoring the deciding goal in the 78th minute, according to FotMob. City had led twice through a Castello Lukeba own goal and an Enzo Fernandez header, but Ridle Baku and Antonio Nusa pulled Leipzig level each time. Haaland's late finish settled a match in which both sides had chances to win it.
Why it matters
The result keeps City's Champions League campaign on track with an away victory against a Bundesliga side, while Leipzig are left with nothing to show for a performance that FotMob reports was closer than the expected goals figures suggest. City recorded 2.23 xG to Leipzig's 0.87, yet Leipzig had more attempts on goal, 14 to 12, and more on target, six to five.
For Haaland, the night continued a remarkable record against this opponent. FotMob reports he has now scored 13 goals in nine appearances against Leipzig across all competitions, more than against any other club in his career in Europe's top five leagues. He managed it here on only 18 touches of the ball.
How the five goals unfolded
Rayan Cherki had the first opening for City, sending a shot wide early on. At the other end, Gianluigi Donnarumma had to tip a strong Nusa effort over the crossbar.
The deadlock broke in the 37th minute. Nico O'Reilly cut the ball back and Lukeba turned it into his own net, with goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoort unable to adjust in time to rescue his defender.
Donnarumma produced a fine stop to deny Christoph Baumgartner shortly after the interval, but he was then beaten in unusual fashion. Baku's cross after 49 minutes drifted in at the near post to make it 1-1.
City restored their lead two minutes before the hour when Fernandez headed home from Iliman Ndiaye's cross. The advantage lasted three minutes. Nusa combined with Christopher Nkunku and drove a low strike into the bottom-left corner.
Both teams went in search of a winner, and City found one 12 minutes from time. Haaland arrived unmarked at the back post to convert Elliot Anderson's cross. David Raum and Cherki each hit the crossbar later on, but City held on for the three points.
Nusa impresses in defeat
Martin Demichelis, who played for City during his career, could not get the better of his former club, but FotMob notes he will draw encouragement from the display, above all from Nusa.
The winger scored Leipzig's second equaliser and created more chances than any other player on the pitch, with four. He also led his team-mates for successful dribbles, two, shared with the best on the night, and for touches inside the box, four.
Leipzig's other goal came from Baku, whose cross-turned-shot caught Donnarumma out. Baumgartner, Nkunku and Raum were among those who threatened for the home side, with Raum striking the woodwork.
City's goals came from a Lukeba own goal, Fernandez's header from Ndiaye's delivery, and Haaland's close-range finish from Anderson's cross. Cherki hit the bar for the visitors as they pushed for further goals.
The win gives City three points on the road in the league phase. Leipzig's next task is to turn a competitive showing into points, with Nusa's form one of the few clear positives from the night.
