Manchester City continued the defence of their Champions League crown as they eased into the quarter-finals with a 6-2 aggregate win over Copenhagen.
Having earned a 3-1 first-leg victory in Denmark, the job was close to down already for City, and the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and John Stones were left on the bench as a result.
Pep Guardiola’s side needed five minutes to take the lead on the night and only another four to double it, as Manuel Akanji volleyed in from a corner before goalkeeper Kamil Grabara somehow let Julian Alvarez’s cross into the box straight through his hands and into the net.
The Copenhagen fans continued to make plenty of noise, despite the disastrous start, and they had something to really cheer when Mohamed Elyounoussi finished calmly beyond Ederson, having been played in by a lovely backheel from teenager Orri Oskarsson.
Erling Haaland, one of a few first-team stars who did start in Manchester, was once again on target, as he took his tally for the season to 29 goals. Rodri’s clipped ball over the top found the striker, who brought it down, cut onto his left foot and beat Grabara at his near post with the final touch of the first-half.
Copenhagen continued to offer a threat after the break, but could not breach the City defence for a second time, as the Champions League holders cruised through the rest of the match.
They have not lost at home in Europe since 2018, while Brentford at the end of 2022 were the last team to come away from the Etihad with victory in any competition.
City’s focus now shifts back to the Premier League, with Sunday’s trip to Anfield arguably the biggest game of the season so far, as the title race moves towards the home straight.
