Manchester City came back from a goal down at halftime to beat Club Brugge 3-1 and secure their place in the UEFA Champions League playoff round on the final day of group play.
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Brugge took the lead through Raphael Onyedika with just seconds remaining in the first half, but in truth they should have been on the board (and ahead) by that point anyway. Pep Guardiola’s side looked leggy and on the back foot for periods despite holding 70 percent of possession in the opening 45 (0.77-0.32 xG, in favor of Brugge).
Even still after Mateo Kovacic equalized in the 53rd minute, Manchester City were quick to give up a pair of golden scoring chances for which they would be punished 99 times out of 100 in the Premier League, but on this day the football gods were on their side. Ederson came up massive on both occasions, and seconds later Brugge put the ball in their own net. That’s just the way the cookie crumbles at the tippy-top level of the game.
Savinho added a late insurance goal and City managed to protect their lead this time, perhaps aided by the fact that Brugge were also headed to the knockouts in the 24th and final qualifying place late on.
Player ratings - Manchester City vs Club Brugge
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Manchester City vs Club Brugge live updates - by Andy Edwards
Manchester City vs Club Brugge final score: 3-1
Goalscorers: Raphael Onyedika (45'), Mateo Kovacic (53'), Joel Odronez (62' - OG), Savinho (77')
GOAL! Man City 3-1 Club Brugge: Savinho adds the insurance, just in case (77')
The control and finish from Savinho 😮💨
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 29, 2025
The Brazilian forward scores his first #UCL goal in style ✨ pic.twitter.com/CccSZCN9rL
OWN GOAL! Man City 2-1 Club Brugge: Gvardiol’s cross turned home against run of play (62')
Manchester City complete the comeback 🔵 pic.twitter.com/dwWRb2WbFq
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 29, 2025
The phrase “against the run of play” does not adequately depict the degree to which City’s goal came against said run. Brugge had a pair of must-score 1v1 chances but were denied by Ederson almost immediately after the equalizer, and then they put the ball in their own net.
GOAL! Man City 1-1 Club Brugge: The seas part for Kovacic to equalize (53')
No one in black stepped to the ball — in fact, they all stepped away from Kovacic as he made his way into the penalty — so he went ahead and scored it himself.
GOAL! Man City 0-1 Club Brugge: Onyedika hammers home after total defensive collapse (45')
This is not a drill. Manchester City, the four-time reigning Premier League champions, are 45 minutes from being eliminated in the Champions League group stage. They need to come back in the second half and win to advance to the knockout rounds. Repeat: This is not a drill.
OFFSIDE! Gundogan puts it away but the flag goes up (17')
Bernardo Silva played Ilkay Gundogan in behind the Brugge defense for a composed finish, but he was clearly in an offside position. Man City’s first real threatening moment of the game, after Brugge applied some early pressure on the counter. City have a real game on their hands at the moment.
Man City starting lineup
Ederson - Nunes, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol - Kovacic, Gundogan, De Bruyne - Bernardo, Foden, Haaland
Club Brugge starting lineup
Mignolet - Talbi, Ordonez, Mechele, De Cuyper - Onyedika, Jashari, Vanaken - Seys, Tzolis, Jutgla
How to watch Manchester City vs Club Brugge live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Wednesday (January 29)
Venue: Etihad Stadium — Manchester
TV/Streaming: Paramount+
City’s loss last week at Paris Saint-Germain left the Premier League giants two points out of 24th place, with places nine through 24 reaching a home-and-away play-off round to reach the knockout rounds.
Club Brugge have 11 points and sit 20th, and City would be guaranteed to pass Brugge with a win. With No. 22 PSG and No. 24 Stuttgart going head-to-head, Club Brugge have options to reach the playoff round even with a loss or draw.
City have reached the knockout rounds in 11-straight Champions League competitions, last missing the phase in 2012-13.
Brugge drew Juventus 0-0 last time out and have beaten Aston Villa, Sturm Graz, and drawn Sporting Lisbon in the tournament, also drawing Celtic. They’ve lost at AC Milan and home to Borussia Dortmund.
Manchester City team news, focus
OUT: Rodri (torn ACL - MORE), Oscar Bobb (lower leg), Nathan Ake (muscle), Jeremy Doku (knock), Ruben Dias (groin), Omar Marmoush (not registered), Abdukhodir Khusanov (not registered), Vitor Reis (not registered).
Club Brugge team news, focus
There are no known injuries for Club Brugge, who are led by playmaker and club living legend Hans Vanaken, who has six goals and eight assists in domestic play, and fellow attack-minded stars Gustaf Nilsson and Christos Tzolis.
Manchester City vs Club Brugge prediction
City have been inconsistent this season but it would be truly stunning if they failed to hold serve against Club Brugge at the Etihad. It may be closer than expected, and Brugge may pack it in knowing a draw will do. Man City 2-0 Club Brugge.
