Erling Haaland came back to haunt his former club with a stunning acrobatic winner as Manchester City came from behind to earn a hard-fought 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund at the Etihad Stadium.
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Haaland, who averaged over a goal per game in the Champions League during a two-year spell at Dortmund, met Joao Cancelo’s fine cross with a sensational backheeled volley to seal the hosts’ victory in the 84th minute.
The city had appeared set for a surprise defeat when Jude Bellingham nodded Dortmund ahead after the break, only for John Stones’ long-range effort to beat Alexander Meyer for the leveler.
Having been kept quiet by Mats Hummels and Niklas Sule for the majority of the contest, the indomitable Haaland came good in sensational style late on to ensure City preserved their perfect start to their Champions League campaign.
Sule’s excellent defensive header denied Haaland a tap-in as City failed to make their dominance count early on, with the disciplined visitors preventing their hosts from managing a shot on target before the break.
Marco Reus almost bent an effort into the top-right corner as Dortmund grew in confidence, and the winger provided the assist for their 56th-minute opener, volleying in a cross for Bellingham to guide a header beyond Ederson.
Haaland hit the foot of the post with a right-footed shot following a rare defensive lapse from Dortmund and Kevin De Bruyne failed to reach Cancelo’s cross as City looked destined for defeat.
Stones levelled out of nowhere with 10 minutes remaining, though, his well-hit 20-yard strike whistling past Meyer, who will probably think he could have done better to stop the effort.
The goal appeared to breathe life into City, forcing Dortmund to retreat into their own area in a bid to cling onto a point.
But with time running out, Haaland produced his glorious volleyed finish to break the hearts of his former club, ensuring City strengthened their grasp on the top spot in Group G.
