Manchester City - Copenhagen summary: score, goals, highlights, Champions League

Manchester City make it 30 home games unbeaten in Europe

Copenhagen were never likely to break the streak, let's be honest. Could Madrid, Bayern or PSG do it in the next round? That'll be a step-up in class for Guardiola's guys. 

Manchester City into the quarter-finals for the sixth year in a row

Pep Guardiola's side will join Bayern Munich, PSG and Real Madrid in the last eight. The big-hitters aren't messing about. 

Copenhagen go down fighting

Copenhagen will probably be happy with a 3-1 defeat after being 2-0 down inside eight minutes. They were more than a match for City in the last hour of the game, even if Pep Guardiola's side were playing down the gears.

Full-time: Manchester City 3-1 Copenhagen (City win 6-2 on aggregate)

Not the greatest second half I've ever seen, let's put it that way. But Manchester City are safely in the hat for the next round. 

Lewis's deflected effort hits the bar!

Finally a shot from City! Lewis finds space on the edge of the box and his deflected effort loops over Grabara and off the bar!

Three minutes of injury time to be played. 

Mattsson booked

Mattsson hauls back Lewis and gets a yellow card for his troubles.

Not for the first time, City give them ball away inside their own half. Ankersen takes it on and tries his luck but shoots well wide from outside the box. 

Haaland goes off

That's it for big Erling. A Champions League debut for 18-year-old Jacob Wright. 

In fairness, City are playing in first - maybe second - gear and conserving energy. That much is clear. 

Wow. Erling Haaland almost got a touch there! Absolutely nothing for him to work with in the second half. 

Cornelius gets first yellow card

Cornelius goes in high on Akanji in the box and gets the game's first booking. 

Another nice move from the visitors, but no end product! Mattsson is again in the thick of the action but a fine challenge from Lewis stops him in his tracks. 

Another promising attack for Copenhagen sees Elyounoussi latch onto a pass in the box but Akanji comes across to ease him out. 

Copenhagen change

Meling replaces Jelert for the visitors. 

Over from Elyounoussi!

Bardghji miskicks on the edge of the box but it falls to Elyounoussi, who blazes over. 

Another lively move from the visitors! Subs Mattsson and Bardghji combine once again, with the former's shot from the edge of the box deflected wide. 

Elyounoussi gets on the end of the corner and directs it towards McKenna, who can't get the contact he needs on it to get it past Ederson. 

A bit of pressure for Copenhagen, who win a corner. 

Man City change

Nunes is indeed heading off. Youngster Micah Hamilton replaces him. 

Nunes is down, and it looks as if he's broken his finger. Ouch. 

Mattsson plays a dangerous looking cross in towards Cornelius, but Akanji is well placed to sweep clear. 

Copenhagen changes

Oscar Hojlund, brother of Manchester United striker Rasmus, and Cornelius are on for Clem and Oskarsson.

Man City substitution

John Stones comes on for Rúben Dias.

Ederson saves from Mattsson!

That's by far the best chance of the half! Bardghji is heavily involved, sneaking the ball through to Mattsson, who's all alone in the box and has a clear sight of goal! Should've scored!

Grabara hasn't had a single save to make in the second half, which is quite something considering how much possession City have had. 

City finally lose the ball and Vavro has the chance to feed the ball into Oskarsson, who's all alone in the box! But the pass is overhit and the chance is gone.

City's possession stats have been even higher in the second half than in the first. Although they're not exactly going for the kill. 

Ederson is a risk-taker isn't he? He plays a short pass out to Akanji, who is immediately under pressure but does well to wiggle his way out of a difficult situation. 

Copenhagen substitutions

My Copenhagen player to watch Roony Bardghji is on! As is Maguns Mattsson, who scored in the first leg. Achouri and Froholdt go off. 

Haaland matches Agüero's Champions League tally

I don't think it's an exaggeration to say Sergio Agüero is a City legend. And yet Haaland has already matched his Champions League goals tally. He's only 23!

Álvarez whips a free-kick in from the right and it breaks to Gómez, whose fierce drive from the edge of the box looks goalbound but is blocked. 

There's not been a great deal going on since that Ederson slip-up, I'm sorry to report. Although that will suit City down to the ground with a huge game coming up at Liverpool on Sunday. 

Plenty of possession for City around the edge of the Copenhagen box. Pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, but no way through. 

As I say that, Kovacic pokes the ball through to Haaland, who gets a shot away which is blocked at close range. 

A decent start to the half from Copenhagen, who have had most of the ball and the only attack of note. 

Almost another Ederson gift...

Copenhagen profited from one in the first leg, and Ederson was almost at it again. Another sloppy pass nearly gives Froholdt a chance, but Kovacic is alert to avert the danger. 

Man City half-time change

Sergio Gómez is on, Rodri is given a rest before City face Liverpool on Sunday. 

The teams are coming back out, and we're going to have a half-time change for City. 

Manchester City keep on firing

It's easy when you've got Erling Haaland in your team, isn't it? But three or more goals in nine straight European games...that's a lot of games. That run includes Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, too. 

Half-time stats

In the first 30 minutes, it looked as if there was going to be a much bigger difference between the two teams on all of these metrics. Copenhagen have done well to crawl their way back into it. 

Manchester City 3-1 Copenhagen: half-time thoughts

A first half of different phrases. It looked as if City might run up a huge score in the opening stages, in which Akanji volleyed home a corner from close range, before Grabara let Álvarez’s shot slip through his (butter) fingers.

The hosts took their foot off the gas a bit but remained in total control, until the Danes halved the deficit with a brilliantly worked goal completely out of the blue. A brilliant run and finish from Elyounoussi, with a delightful flick from Oskarsson in the middle.

Copenhagen were arguably the better team for the remaining 15 minutes of the half but failed to capitalise. And they were punished on the stroke of half-time by Haaland (who else?), who made the most of his first chance of the game.

Haaland wakes City from their mini-slumber

Copenhagen's goal after half-an-hour gave them a big shot in the arm, but Erling Haaland's strike with the last touch of the half has let the air out of the Danish balloon. 

Half-time: Manchester City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 on aggregate)

And that's that for quite a bizarre first half!

(6-2 on aggregate)

Rodri plays the ball over the top for Haaland, who takes a touch, fends off two defenders and fires low past Grabara!

Three minutes of injury time to be played. 

Rodri picks a superb out to Nunes on the right. The ball almost ends up in the net, with McKenna clearing from underneath his own bar, although the City man was later flagged offside. 

Álvarez has the chance to deliver a dangerous ball into the box from a free-kick, but hits the first man in the box. City have been off-colour ever since they conceded. 

Superb Oskarsson assist

Here's that Oskarsson assist I was raving about before. A sumptuous first-time back-heel that a photo doesn't do justice to. 

Another promising break down the left from Achouri, who cuts inside and has men in support in the box but miscues his delivery. 

Haaland feeds a nice pass into the box for Álvarez, but Vavro is right on top of the Argentine and makes a crucial block. 

No chances for Haaland

It looked as if Erling Haaland might have a field day in the opening 10 minutes or so. But the City striker hasn't had a single sight of goal...yet. 

Achouri is looking lively down the left for Copenhagen, who have been completely transformed by the goal. He feeds another nice pass into Oskarsson, although nothing ultimately comes of it. 

Álvarez charges into the box and looks to make space for a shot, but Vavro does well to crowd him out. City have dropped off completely in the last few minutes. 

That assist from Oskarsson was absolutely delicious, I have to say. One to search out if you haven't seen it. 

That's been quite the pick-me-up for the Danes, who are dominating possession all of a sudden. 

The Copenhagen end is bouncing, by the way. 

You can keep your Manchester City...that was a brilliantly worked goal!

(5-2 on aggregate)

What a goal it was too! Elyounoussi drives forward through midfield, plays a superb one-two with Oskarsson and coolly slots past Ederson!

Good defending from Ankersen prevents Bobb from making progress down the left. City's Norwegian youngster looks a real talent, though,  doesn't he? 

Copenhagen are defending deep and in numbers. Yet City still have the ability to unpick the lock. 

Complete and utter control from the hosts. They're playing down the gears but occasionally go up them. 

Amazing Akanji for City slickers

Desperate defending from careless Copenhagen though. 

Álvarez almost scores from a corner!

Cheeky! A free-kick is given for a foul on Ankersen, but Álvarez's delivery from the corner almost flies over the top of Grabara, who nudges it over!

Until Kovacic decides to go on a driving run through midfield. He almost plays Haaland clean through, but Vavro is on hand to mop up. 

City have taken their foot off the throttle a little. 

City may be outplaying Copenhagen, but the away fans are outsinging their counterparts right now. 

This is easily the best bit of possession the visitors have had so far. 

121 passes to 24 so far. I'll let you work out who's had how many. 

Copenhagen's first attempt on goal

The corner is cleared as far as Clem, whose half-volley flies over the bar. 

VERY nice work down the left from Achouri wins a corner for Copenhagen, their first of the game. 

Nunes breaks away down the right and to the goal line, but his cut-back isn't quite right for Haaland. 

We're back up and running. Kovacic looks as if he'll be OK. 

Kovacic down

A break in play as Mateo Kovacic has taken a knock. Let's see if he's OK to carry on. 

Literally five seconds before the goal, Rodri headed another corner against the crossbar. Álvarez scored from the rebound. 

(5-1)

Álvarez shot from a tight-ish angle is straight at Grabara, who lets in slip through his grasp and into the net. Oops. 

Bobb threatens a second! A brilliant jinking run into the box, but his shot is blocked out for a corner. 

What on earth do Copenhagen do now?! Pray?

(4-1 on aggregate)

A brilliant finish but poor, poor defending from the Danes. The ball should never have been allowed to travel that far. 

First corner of the game...and it's City's!

Not a single attack from either team so far, although Copenhagen did briefly get the ball and venture to the edge of the City box. 

Everyone in the Copenhagen half bar Ederson. We might have to get used to it. 

Copenhagen kicked off, but guess who's had all of the ball so far...

Underway at the Etihad!

Here we go! What chance are you giving Copenhagen? 

Manchester City - Copenhagen: previous meetings

The teams met in the group stage last season, with the Danes holding their more illustrious opponents to a draw in Copenhagen. They won’t want a repeat of their last visit to the Etihad though…

- 5 October 2022: Man City 5-0 Copenhagen

- 11 October 2022: Copenhagen 0-0 Man City

- 13 February 2024: Copenhagen 1-3 Man City

Champions League anthem time

Boos from the Manchester City fans, although not nearly as loud as in previous years by my reckoning. That's what winning does to you...

Copenhagen team to play Manchester City

Grabara; Ankersen, Jelert, Vavro, McKenna, Diks; Froholdt, Oskarsson, Clem; Achouri, Elyounoussi. 

Manchester City team to play Copenhagen: De Bruyne and Foden on the bencgh

Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodrigo, Kovacic; Bobb, Alvarez, Nunes; Haaland.

A chance for Rico Lewis, Oscar Bobb and Matheus Nunes to shine. 

Just a few minutes to go until kick off! Let's take another look at how the teams will line up!

Copenhagen’s Champions League record

Copenhagen have featured in the Champions League group stage six times and have made it to the round of 16 twice, including this year. If they somehow manage to turn this tie around and defeat City over two legs, this will be their best ever performance in Europe...but I won't be putting my house on it. 

Manchester City’s Champions League record

Manchester City finally won their first Champions League in 2022-23 at the 12th attempt, having previously had a few near misses. City have only twice failed to make it to the knockout rounds, were semi-finalists in 2016 and 2022, and beaten finalists in 2021.

"Some niggles" rule Doku out for Manchester City

The eagle-eyed among you may have noticed that winger Jérémy Doku is not even on the bench for Manchester City against Copenhagen. "Some niggles" must've been one of the first phrases Pep learned after moving to England, I swear he says it every week. 

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Champions League round of 16: what happens if there’s a tie?

Copenhagen couldn't get this tie back on level terms, could they? What happens if they do? Are away goals still active?

Glad you asked, here's everything you need to know. 

Copenhagen in the 2023-24 Champions League group stage

Copenhagen were favourites to finish dead last in Group A but ended up a distant second to Bayern Munich, who ran away with the section. A late win over a shambolic Manchester United and a draw in Germany were the highlights, with their qualification sealed by a 1-0 win over Galatasaray in the final game.

- Galatasaray 2-2 Copenhagen

- Copenhagen 1-2 Bayern Munich

- Manchester United 1-0 Copenhagen

- Copenhagen 4-3 Manchester United

- Bayern Munich 0-0 Copenhagen

- Copenhagen 1-0 Galatasaray

Manchester City in the 2023-24 Champions League group stage

Group G never looked the most challenging for Manchester City, and so it proved. Pep Guardiola’s men won six games out of six, with their only real scare coming at home to RB Leipzig, who were 2-0 up at half-time but ended up losing 3-2. Will they have been disappointed to keep just one clean sheet in a fairly weak section? Maybe, but they won’t care now the knockout stage has started.

- Manchester City 3-1 Red Star Belgrade

- RB Leipzig 1-3 Manchester City

- Young Boys 1-3 Manchester City

- Manchester City 3-0 Young Boys

- Manchester City 3-2 RB Leipzig

- Red Star Belgrade 2-3 Manchester City

Copenhagen's Neestrup does the Danish double in first season

Copenhagen boss Jacob Neestrup, meanwhile, has never won the Champions League…

A former midfielder for FCK whose professional career was blighted by injuries, he did lead the team to the Danish league and cup double in his first season in charge last term.

How many times has Pep Guardiola won the Champions League?

He's often cited as the best manager of all time and Pep Guardiola has won three Champions Leagues (two with Barcelona, one with City). Will he think he might've left one or two out there? Considering it feels as if he's had the best team almost every season forever, maybe he will...

Roony Bardghji: remember the name

“Roony! Roony!” Used to be chanted regularly on the red side of Manchester. Whether Copenhagen fans are likely to be belting out their version at the Etihad is debatable, as Roony Bardghji might not get much game time. If he does come off the bench, though, watch out.

Born in Kuwait to a Syrian family, the 18-year-old plays for Sweden’s under-21 team and has been touted as one of world soccer’s hottest young talents, with a host of elite clubs tracking him.

Phil Foden: Manchester City's man in form

Erling Haaland? Kevin De Bruyne? They would be the obvious (boring) picks for City’s player to watch. But Phil Foden is undoubtedly the man in form. The England star has already blasted past his best goal return in a single season, scoring 18 times and assisting another 10 in 40 club appearances. He scored the winner in the recent victory over Brentford and a brace in Sunday’s Manchester derby triumph over United.

The only question is whether he will come off the bench...

MANCHESTER CTY

Can Haaland win while Messi is still in the game?

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in awe of Inter Miami's Lionel Messi

Erling Haaland has rarely been out of the headlines since joining Manchester City. If you had to pick between him and Lionel Messi, who would you go for? The Norwegian himself seems to have things pretty clear...

Copenhagen: last five games

1 March: Midtjylland 2-0 Copenhagen (Danish Superliga)

26 February: Copenhagen 2-0 Nordsjaelland (Danish Superliga)

18 February: Silkeborg 0-3 Copenhagen (Danish Superliga)

13 February: Copenhagen 1-3 Manchester City (Champions League)

8 February: Copenhagen 3-1 Molde (Atlantic Cup, friendly)

Copenhagen back in the groove after winter break

The first leg against City was Copenhagen’s first competitive game in two months, with the Danish Superliga taking a winter break between mid-December and mid-February. FCK won back-to-back games following their return to league action, but suffered that aforementioned defeat to leaders Midtjylland last Friday, which could prove crucial come the end of the season.

Will Manchester City win the Premier League?

City have been boringly good in the Premier League in recent years, winning four of the last five. Is anyone betting against them adding another? They will travel to Anfield to face Liverpool (a point ahead) on Sunday (10 March) and host Arsenal (a point behind) on Sunday 31 March.

Manchester City: last five games

3 March: Manchester City 3-1 Manchester United (Premier League)

27 February: Luton Town 2-6 Manchester City (FA Cup)

24 February: Bournemouth 0-1 Manchester City (Premier League)

20 February: Manchester City 1-0 Brentford (Premier League)

17 February: Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea (Premier League)

Manchester City's lean, mean winning machine

City are unbeaten in their last 19 games in all competitions, 17 of which they have won. Not bad, eh? They drew against Chelsea in their first match after the first leg, but have since won four in a row. Manchester United were their latest victims, beaten 3-1 at the Etihad on Sunday.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Real Madrid - RB Leipzig live online: score, stats & updates, Champions League

I should also mention AS USA’s one-and-only Joe Brennan is all overReal Madrid against RB Leipzig in today's other second leg as I type! Could the 14-time European champions be on the receiving end of a remontada for once? Open that page alongside this one to find out!

Manchester City arrive at the Etihad!

If we look at how much the two rosters are worth, City could probably win this tie without turning up. The boys in blue have turned up, though, and will still expect a comfortable win despite making a raft of changes. 

Copenhagen back in domestic action but lose top-of-the-table clash

Copenhagen won the Danish Superliga last season (obviously, since they’re in the Champions League) but are also involved in a three-way tussle at the top this term.

FCK are currently third, two points behind Brondby and three adrift of Midtjylland, who they lost to in their last league game.

Manchester City involved in three-way Premier League title battle

Who remembers the last time three teams were in with a realistic chance of winning the Premier League title this far into the season? As good as Manchester City are, they’re still a point behind leaders Liverpool and just one ahead of Arsenal, with the trio having all won 19 of their 27 league games.

It promises to be an enthralling end to the season in England!

(Former) Premier League men start for Copenhagen

It’s probably not an exaggeration to suggest the Copenhagen side has fewer household names than the Man City one. But Premier League fans might remember winger Mohamed Elyounoussi, once of Southampton, while central defender Scott McKenna is on loan from Nottingham Forest. Jordan Larsson, the son of Sweden legend Henrik, is on the bench, as is Rasmus Hojlund's brother Oscar, and ex-Cardiff striker Andreas Cornelius. 

Copenhagen squad news: captain Claesson misses out

As if Copenhagen’s task weren’t difficult enough, they’ll be without captain Viktor Claesson, as well as centre-back Davit Khocholava, goalkeeper Theo Sander and midfield trio Lukas Lerager, Diogo Gonçalves and Rasmus Falk. All are injured.

Copenhagen team to play Manchester City

Grabara; Ankersen, Jelert, Vavro, McKenna, Diks; Froholdt, Oskarsson, Clem; Achouri, Elyounoussi. 

How do you say "Good luck," in Danish?

Manchester City squad news: Grealish remains absent

With defender Josko Gvardiol back in the team after an ankle issue, Jack Grealish is the only injury absentee because of a groin problem.

Manchester City team to play Copenhagen: Guardiola rotates, no De Bruyne

Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodrigo, Kovacic; Bobb, Alvarez, Nunes; Haaland.

No De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Walker or Stones for City, all of whom are on the bench. Pep will still be supremely confident of side-stepping that tiny banana skin. 

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Copenhagen - Manchester City summary: score, goals, highlights, Champions League

Copenhagen 1-3 Manchester City: what happened in the first leg?

The first 34 minutes might be the most dominant I’ve ever seen a team in any game but City only had Kevin De Bruyne's early goal to show for it. Ederson gifted the Danes an equaliser completely against the run of play, but the Premier League side showed they were far too good for their opponents in the remainder of the match, with Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden adding further goals. 

Here's more. 

Copenhagen fans in high spirits in Manchester

The Danes will have been drinking plenty of spirits too ahead of kick-off. And that's probably just as well, as their team faces a daunting task against the 2023-24 treble winners. 

Mbappé and Kane at the double for PSG and Bayern

Missed yesterday's Champions League action? Fear not, we've got you covered! The stars were shining bright asPSG and Bayern progressed to the quarter-finals, with Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane both netting twice for their respective teams. 

2023-24 UCL round of 16: what’s happening this week?

Bayern overcame a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Lazio on Tuesday to book their place in the quarter-finals, where they will be joined by Kylian Saint-Germain, who made fairly light work of Real Sociedad.

Is anyone betting against City and Real Madrid going through on Wednesday? Let me know if you are, and what you’ve been smoking.

Tuesday 5 March

Bayern Munich 3-0 Lazio (Bayern win 3-1 on aggregate)

Real Sociedad 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain (PSG win 4-1 on aggregate)

Wednesday 6 March

Manchester City - Copenhagen (3-1 on aggregate)

Real Madrid - RB Leipzig (1-0 on aggregate)

2023-24 UCL round of 16: first-leg results

There were expected first-leg wins for City and Real Madrid, but Porto and Lazio upset the odds against Arsenal and Bayern respectively. Not that it worked out too well for the latter…

-Porto 0-1 Arsenal

- Napoli 1-1 Barcelona

- Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 Real Sociedad

- Inter 1-0 Atlético Madrid

- PSV Eindhoven 1-1 Borussia Dortmund

- Lazio 1-0 Bayern Munich

- Copenhagen 1-3 Manchester City

- RB Leipzig 0-1 Real Madrid

What time does Manchester City - Copenhagen kick off? 

The game in Manchester gets underway at 9:00 p.m. local time, which is 3:00 p.m. ET and 12:00 p.m. PT. I make that just over an hour to go until kick-off, plenty of time to get some drinks and snacks in if you’re not at work, or to figure out how to follow the game on the sly if you are!

Hello and welcome to live text coverage of Manchester City - Copenhagen!

Hello and welcome to live text coverage of the second leg of the round-of-16 Champions League tie between Manchester City and Copenhagen at the Etihad. The Premier League holders lead 3-1 after the first leg in Denmark which begs the question…is there any hope for FCK (Football Club København)? The UCL has seen some epic comebacks over the years, so you just never know…

I’m Roddy and thanks for joining me for more Champions League goodness!