Erling Haaland struck a late winner as Manchester City edged a thrilling Champions League clash with RB Leipzig 3-2.
City were twice pegged back by the enterprising German side, who are managed by their former defender Martin Demichelis, but Haaland settled the contest 12 minutes from time.
It was Haaland’s 13th goal in nine career appearances against Leipzig, his most goals versus any opponent. It was also the Norway striker’s 14th goal of the season and his 62nd in 61 Champions League games.
City had taken the lead with an own goal from Castello Lukeba but the hosts quickly levelled through Ridle Baku.
Enzo Fernández restored the lead but City needed Haaland’s late intervention to secure victory after the impressive Antonio Nusa struck a second equaliser.
Enzo Maresca’s side arrived in Germany following back-to-back Premier League defeats, against Aston Villa and Brighton. Their one loss in the Champions League this season came at the hands of holders Paris Saint-Germain last month, with Wednesday’s win taking City up to seventh in the standings after four games.
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Despite the win, it was not a night City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will care to remember.
Leipzig took the game to City early on and Nusa troubled the Italy international with a shot from the edge of the box which he fumbled over the crossbar.
Nusa was then involved in a break down the right which led to an opportunity for the inrushing David Raum but his effort was blocked. Christoph Baumgartner then went close with a curling effort from distance and Brajan Gruda also fired wide from a dangerous position.
City began to settle and Phil Foden curled an effort narrowly wide but they benefited from a huge stroke of luck to take the lead in the 37th minute.
Nico O’Reilly raced on to a long ball from Rayan Cherki but his cutback appeared wasteful. Lukeba, however, did not realise he was under no pressure and ended up bundling the ball into his own net.
Leipzig regrouped at halftime and returned in determined fashion with Nusa and Baumgartner both forcing saves out of Donnarumma.
But the City goalkeeper was badly caught out when he strayed off his line as Baku broke down the left. He may have been anticipating a cross as Baku reached the byline and rifled in a shot at his near post.
Leipzig could have had another moments later as Nusa played in Ezechiel Banzuzi with a backheel but he missed the target.
City rallied and Haaland got his first chance of the game as a Cherki pass was deflected to him but Maarten Vandevoordt kept out the Norwegian’s snap-shot.
They regained the lead after Leipzig allowed Iliman Ndiaye too much space on the left and he whipped in a cross for Fernández to head home.
Again City could not hold on to the advantage as Nusa drilled a low shot across goal to equalise from a clever pass by Christopher Nkunku.
But Haaland, despite a largely quiet night, was not to be denied and raced in at the back post to slide home Elliot Anderson’s superb low ball into the box.
Both sides hit the woodwork in the closing stages, with Donnarumma almost embarrassed again as Raum’s free kick looped over him and struck the bar. Cherki also thumped against the bar at the other end.
PA and ESPN Research contributed to this report.
