Manchester City needed three separate leads to overcome RB Leipzig, with Erling Haaland’s 78th-minute winner finally settling an absorbing 3-2 UEFA Champions League league-phase fixture at the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday.
Castello Lukeba’s own goal in the 37th minute put City ahead before Ridle Baku equalised in the 49th. Enzo Fernández restored the visitors’ advantage with a 58th-minute header, only for Antonio Nusa to draw Leipzig level again in the 61st. Haaland then delivered the decisive intervention to secure all three points.
City take a narrow advantage into the break
The first half produced just one goal, with Lukeba putting through his own net in the 37th minute to hand City the breakthrough. That advantage remained intact at half-time, but the hosts would soon demonstrate that this was far from a comfortable assignment for the visitors.
Leipzig’s resistance was reflected in the overall numbers. Despite having only 35.4% possession, they finished with 14 attempts to City’s 12 and six shots on target to the visitors’ five.
Leipzig twice find an answer
Baku’s 49th-minute equaliser changed the complexion of the contest shortly after the restart, wiping out City’s interval lead and beginning a spell of three goals in 12 minutes.
Fernández headed City back in front in the 58th minute, but their renewed advantage lasted only three minutes. Nusa struck in the 61st to make it 2-2, leaving Leipzig firmly in contention for a draw or better.
City controlled 64.6% of possession across the match, yet that command of the ball never translated into a straightforward evening. Leipzig’s two equalisers repeatedly forced the visitors to find another response.
Haaland supplies the final word
The decisive goal arrived in the 78th minute through Haaland. Unlike their previous two leads, City protected this one through the remaining regulation time and five minutes of stoppage time.
The result leaves City with three victories from four league-phase fixtures, while Leipzig have one win and three defeats. For the hosts, there was frustration after twice recovering from behind; for City, a valuable away victory earned through persistence rather than complete control.
