Manchester City Cruise Past Borussia Dortmund to Stay Unbeaten in Europe
Phil Foden reminded everyone of his world-class talent — and sent a timely message to England head coach Thomas Tuchel — with two superbly taken goals in Manchester City’s 4–1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League group stage on Wednesday night.
Playing in front of a jubilant home crowd at the Etihad Stadium, Foden delivered a man-of-the-match performance as Pep Guardiola’s side extended their unbeaten European run to four matches.
“He is back. He is a special player,” Guardiola said after the match, praising Foden’s renewed form and focus.
Foden’s Statement Performance Ahead of England Squad Announcement
With Thomas Tuchel set to name his latest England squad on Friday for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania, Foden’s performance could not have come at a better time.
The 24-year-old has been overlooked by Tuchel so far this season but made a strong case for recall by scoring twice — once in each half — as City outclassed Dortmund.
Foden’s first goal came in the 22nd minute with a precise low finish into the bottom corner after a slick passing move. He doubled his tally midway through the second half, again finishing clinically from inside the box to seal the result.
His goals brought his season total to four, highlighting his resurgence after what Guardiola called “a challenging but necessary learning period” last campaign.
Guardiola Backs Foden’s England Return
Guardiola was quick to emphasize Foden’s potential and importance to both club and country.
“There’s no one who doubts his quality,” said the City boss. “England are lucky to have so many gifted players, especially in attacking positions. Phil just has to keep improving — to be better and better every day.”
Foden’s omission from recent England matches has sparked debate among fans and pundits, especially with competition from the likes of Marcus Rashford, Eberechi Eze, and Anthony Gordon.
Despite the competition, Foden’s creative spark and positional intelligence remain unmatched — qualities Tuchel may need as he fine-tunes his squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Haaland Breaks Another Champions League Record
While Foden stole the headlines, Erling Haaland continued his relentless scoring streak, netting his 27th goal of the season and setting yet another Champions League record.
The Norwegian forward has now scored in five consecutive European matches — the first player ever to achieve that feat with three different clubs (RB Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund, and Manchester City).
Haaland’s powerful strike against his former team took his career tally in the Champions League to 54 goals in just 52 appearances. For comparison, Lionel Messi reached 60 goals in 80 games — a record Haaland looks poised to surpass within months.
“Erling just loves scoring goals. It’s his obsession, his passion,” Guardiola said. “He pushes the limits of what we think is possible.”
Other Goals and Tactical Notes
Rayan Cherki came off the bench to add City’s fourth goal, while Waldemar Anton scored a consolation goal for Dortmund in the second half. The visitors struggled to contain City’s dynamic attack, which combined pace, precision, and positional interchange.
Guardiola fielded a strong lineup despite upcoming domestic challenges, though midfielder Rodri was absent as a precaution after recently recovering from a hamstring injury. The Spaniard’s fitness remains in doubt ahead of Sunday’s crucial Premier League clash against Liverpool.
Foden’s Revival and City’s European Dominance
After a frustrating 2024–25 campaign, when injuries and tactical rotations limited his impact, Foden looks back to his best. His off-the-ball movement, composure, and chemistry with Haaland and Bernardo Silva underline his importance to City’s attacking rhythm.
Manchester City’s 4–1 victory keeps them top of their Champions League group, maintaining a perfect record as they aim to defend their European crown.
Key Stats: Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund
- Final Score: Manchester City 4 – 1 Borussia Dortmund
- Goals: Foden (22’, 57’), Haaland (39’), Cherki (81’); Anton (64’)
- Possession: City 68% – Dortmund 32%
- Shots on Target: City 10 – Dortmund 3
- Foden’s Season Stats: 4 goals, 3 assists in all competitions
Looking Ahead
Manchester City will now turn their attention to domestic duties with a blockbuster Premier League encounter vs Liverpool at the Etihad this Sunday. Guardiola hinted that squad rotation may continue as he manages fitness levels across competitions.
For Borussia Dortmund, the defeat leaves them battling for second place in the group as they prepare to face RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga this weekend.
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