On a night of unconvincing performances from Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan, Pep Guardiola walked off smiling following a comeback victory for Manchester City in the Champions League.
Phil Foden inspired a second-half comeback as City beat Leipzig 3-2 on Tuesday to take first place in Group G and extend its perfect record to five wins in five matches.
It’s the seventh straight season that City has won its group. The defending champions trailed 2-0 at halftime but Foden scored one goal and helped to create two more to turn the match around and Guardiola had a smirk on his face when he shook hands with Leipzig counterpart Marco Rose after the final whistle.
“We had to be relaxed as possible and we reacted really well,” Guardiola said. “We are first in the group and I am very satisfied for the reaction at the end. The team runs and fights and has spirit.”
Kylian Mbappé’s penalty deep into stoppage time salvaged a point for PSG in a 1-1 draw with an injury-depleted but tenacious Newcastle team. In the tight Group F, Borussia Dortmund advanced with a 3-1 victory at Milan, a semi-finalist last season. Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Lazio also advanced. Portuguese duo João Félix and João Cancelo each scored as Barcelona defeated Porto 2-1 to return to the knockout phase after consecutive group-stage eliminations.
It will be the first time since Lionel Messi left the club that Barcelona will be playing in the round of 16.
GROUP E
Ciro Immobile scored twice in the final 10 minutes and Lazio beat Celtic 2-0. Atletico then defeated Feyenoord 3-1 with the help of two own-goals to seal its spot in the next round and also send Lazio through. Atletico leads with 11 points, followed by Lazio (10), Feyenoord (6) and Celtic (1). In the final group matches on Dec. 13, Lazio visits Atletico in a match that will determine which club wins the group.
GROUP F
Isak’s early goal put Newcastle ahead against PSG, seemingly securing an upset. However, a controversial stoppage-time penalty, converted by Mbappé, salvaged a draw.
In Milan, Dortmund secured a last-16 spot with a win. Dortmund leads the group, followed by PSG, Newcastle, and Milan.
GROUP G
Foden orchestrated City’s comeback, setting up Haaland’s goal, equalizing, and contributing to Alvarez’s winner. Despite Lois Openda’s brace for Leipzig, City showcased champion resilience. Young Boys claimed third place with a 2-0 win over Red Star. City tops the group with 15 points, followed by Leipzig.
GROUP H
Barcelona responded to Porto’s early lead, securing victory with Cancelo and Félix. Meanwhile, Mykola Matviyenko’s header lifted Shakhtar Donetsk over Antwerp. Barcelona leads the group, yet to secure first place.
Third-place finishers move to the Europa League knockout playoffs.
