Erling Haaland was once again the star as Manchester City cruised to a 2-0 victory over Villarreal in the Champions League. The Norwegian striker scored in his 12th consecutive game, continuing his remarkable scoring run, with his goal coming early in the match to set the tone for City’s dominance. Despite only finding the net once, Haaland’s presence was enough to ensure that the victory never seemed in doubt.
City’s early pressure was relentless, with Haaland, Savinho, and Jérémy Doku combining quickly to test Villarreal’s goalkeeper, Luiz Júnior, within the first few minutes. Haaland’s goal came after 17 minutes, a masterpiece of patience and precision. City exchanged a series of short passes to break down Villarreal’s defense before Rico Lewis made a run into the box. Savinho’s delivery to him allowed Haaland to finish with his trademark power, giving City the lead.
The second goal came just before halftime, with Bernardo Silva scoring from a Savinho cross. This time, Villarreal’s defense, despite having nine players in the box, could not prevent the simple but effective delivery to Silva, who was left unmarked to tap in.
Villarreal, known for their athleticism and height, struggled to match City’s tempo. Although they had moments where they tested City’s defense, such as when Santi Comesaña saw a shot saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, their chances were few and far between. The visitors dominated possession with 65%, and their system, fluid and adaptable, kept Villarreal on the back foot for most of the match.
While Villarreal had some brief moments of life in the second half, with shots from Alberto Moleiro and Nicolas Pépé, City never looked in danger of losing control. Haaland was substituted late, but not before he had taken two more shots, both saved by Luiz Júnior, further showcasing his growing impact on every match he plays.
This victory signals that Manchester City, despite a few hiccups in the past, are starting to rediscover their form. With Haaland continuing to score, the team’s confidence grows, and they are looking more like the dominant force they were in previous seasons under Pep Guardiola.