Copenhagen vs Man City LIVE: Champions League result and reaction as Foden gives City second leg cushion

Manchester City resumed their Champions League defence with a comfortable 3-1 win at FC Copenhagen on Tuesday.

Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva netted either side of an unexpected Magnus Mattson equaliser as City dominated a last-16 first leg they could have won far more convincingly.

Pep Guardiola’s side dominated in every aspect at the Danish capital’s famously atmospheric Parken Stadium and Phil Foden completed a deserved success late on.

“It was hard to hear each other at times, the atmosphere here is unbelievable and the early goal settled us a little bit so delighted to get that.

“It’s the most run of games I think I’ve had in the City team. You get a rhythm. I’m feeling good. You find your feet and you start getting connections with other players, I think that’s what it’s down to.

“Obviously I prefer to play in the pockets but today I played out wide but I did an alright job.

“I just feel alive and that I’m always involved in the game. You can get involved and have a few touches and grow into the game more. I’ve always played there from young so I’ve always been used to it.

“Me and Kevin [de Bruyne] have built that connection now so we know where we’re running. He’s such an important player for us.

“When teams play in a low block you need runners in behind. Kevin knows the right time to make that movement and it makes my job easier. For me, there’s no better player in the world at passing the ball. He’s a pleasure to play with and so important.

“It’s a special group. I enjoy being here every day. There’s so much hunger. When you have that determination it goes a long way.”

“It’s tough. We’ve played here a couple of times and the atmosphere is great. We had to respect them.

“We started really well. We made one mistake and they capitalised but I thought we played really well. We scored the third goal and it’s a little bit of an advantage now.

“We try to minimise the mistakes. The second half we dominated again. They changed to a back five but we still found the chances and did what we needed to do.

“I’m just trying to play good. It’s been a long five or six months but I’m just happy to be back, helping the team win games and be at my best.

“I feel alright. Obviously I still need a couple more games and minutes. I’ve not played 90 minutes for almost a year but I’m getting there, I’m feeling good and the level is good enough for the moment - so I’m happy.”

Manchester City have won nine games in a row in the Champions League. Their last defeat in the competition came on 4 May 2022.

That is a crazily great run of form.

Manchester City are the first team in Champions League history to score 3+ goals in seven consecutive matches.

Both Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva have seen each of their last 10 Champions League goals come in the knockout stages - only Karim Benzema (a run of 14 between March 2022 and April 2023) has had a longer such run in the competition’s history.

Kevin De Bruyne is the fourth player to score at least 10 goals in the knockout stages of the Champions League since 2019-20, along with Karim Benzema (17), Erling Haaland (13) and Robert Lewandowski (11).

90+3 mins: Manchester City have one foot in the next round and Pep Guardiola will feel happier after Phil Foden’s late strike. A professional performance is capped off with a two-goal cushion that they will take into the next leg.

Top work from the reigning champions.

90+2 mins: A third!

Man City increase the tempo in the closing stages and force a couple of saves out of Kamil Grabara. Phil Foden collects the ball on the right and plays a one-two to get into the box.

He sends the goalkeeper the wrong way then blazes it into the back of the net.

90 mins: Three minutes of added time to play.