Manchester City impose their authority in Porto to open with a win

Erling Haaland’s second-half double gave Manchester City a 2-0 win over Porto and a winning start to its 2026-27 Champions League campaign at the Estádio do Dragão.

City controlled possession early, circulating the ball patiently as Porto concentrated on keeping it away from Haaland and preventing Antoine Semenyo from finding space on the wing. When the English side increased the pressure, it repeatedly encountered Diogo Costa. The Porto goalkeeper denied Haaland with a strong save from a header, then stopped another effort with his left hand and blocked Enzo’s rebound with his feet.

Porto recovered possession several times in midfield, often through Spain’s Gabri Veiga, but its attempts to connect with William Gomes did not seriously threaten Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goal. The resistance ended shortly after halftime. Cherki kept the ball from going out and passed to Enzo, who crossed for Haaland to head home. It was Enzo Fernández’s first assist for City after the club recently paid Chelsea 145 million euros for the Argentine, a record Premier League transfer fee.

Porto pushed forward after falling behind, with efforts from Gomes and Argentina’s Alan Varela passing just wide of Donnarumma’s goal. Coach Francesco Farioli introduced Spain’s Borja Sainz and Mexico’s Santiago Giménez as he searched for an equalizer, but Haaland ended the hosts’ hopes in the 91st minute. Aït-Nouri found him in the heart of the area, and the Norwegian finished low for his second goal.

City will next host defending champion Paris Saint-Germain, managed by Luis Enrique. Porto will travel to Seville to play Betis.