Haaland Strikes Late as Manchester City Edge Leipzig 3-2 in Champions League Thriller

Manchester City needed their captain to rescue them in Leipzig. Twice the visitors led, and twice the German side dragged themselves level, before Erling Haaland arrived at the back post to turn in Elliot Anderson's low cross with 12 minutes remaining and settle a breathless league-phase contest 3-2. City had gone ahead in the 37th minute in fortunate fashion, when Castello Lukeba diverted Nico O'Reilly's ball across goal into his own net. Leipzig responded quickly after the break through Ridle Baku, only for Enzo Fernández to restore City's lead just before the hour with a powerful header from Iliman Ndiaye's cross. Parity lasted barely three minutes, as Antonio Nusa drilled a low left-footed finish past Gianluigi Donnarumma. Haaland had been quiet for much of the evening, but the Norwegian has made a habit of punishing Leipzig: the winner was his 13th goal in nine appearances against them and his 62nd in 61 Champions League matches. Leipzig, who had won all five previous home games this season without conceding, pushed hard for a third equaliser, with Brajan Gruda having a late effort ruled offside, but City held on. The win is City's third in four league-phase games and lifts them into seventh place, inside the top eight that advance directly to the last 16.