Man City vs Copenhagen LIVE: Champions League result and reaction as Erling Haaland secures spot in last-eight

Manchester City move into the quarter-finals with a comfortable and easy 3-1 victory over FC Copenhagen at the Etihad Stadium.

Any nerves were settled in the opening minutes as Manuel Akanji met a Julian Alvarez corner to volley home the opening goal and it wasn’t long before the second goal went in.

Alvarez took control of a clearance out of the box before fizzinf a ball back into the middle and seeing Kamil Grabara fumble the ball over the line.

Copenhagen threatened to mount a comeback after a fine finish from Mohamed Elyounssi after the visitors broke up the pitch but Erling Haaland’s strike before half-time secured a spot in the next round.

Relive the live action in the blog below and get the latest odds and tips here.

Man City vs FC Copenhagen LIVE

• Manchester City ease past Copenhagen but the real test begins in the Champions League quarter-finals

• FT - City ease into next round with 6-2 aggregate win

• 45+3’ GOAL! - Haaland’s chest down and finish it superb (MCI 3-1 CPH)

• 29’ GOAL! - Elyounoussi scores on the counter (MCI 2-1 CPH)

• 9’ GOAL! - Alvarez scores after Grabara mistake (MCI 2-0 CPH)

• 5’ GOAL! - Akanji volleys in the opener (MCI 1-0 CPH)

Manchester City ease past Copenhagen but the real test begins in the Champions League quarter-finals

22:08 , Mike Jones

For Manchester City, the Champions League tends to start in earnest in the quarter-finals these days. The defending champions cruised through to the last eight for a seventh successive season. Now, finally, it gets tougher. City’s propensity to win weak groups and draw one of the lesser lights in the last 16 can delay the meaningful contests. FC Copenhagen were brushed aside, as they were always going to be, while Pep Guardiola granted nearly all of his strongest side some kind of rest before the visit to Liverpool. For City, the Premier League, like the Champions League, is about to become more difficult, too. The phoney wars are ending.

This had the feel of a formality. Copenhagen had helped eliminate one Manchester club from Europe. There was no danger of a second, and not merely because City brought a 3-1 lead back from Denmark. A rematch was over inside 10 minutes, a swift double serving as an indictment of Manchester United, who had found it rather harder against the Danish champions. In contrast, City now have 10 consecutive Champions League victories and a 30-game unbeaten run at home in Europe, with the added distinction that only two were even draws.

Man City ease past Copenhagen but the real test begins in the quarter-finals

FT Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg)

21:57 , Mike Jones

In the other last-16 tie of the night, Real Madrid have beaten RB Leipzig 2-1 on aggregate following a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu. That means they join Bayern Munich, PSG and Man City in the next round.

The quarter-finals are shaping up beautifully.

Full-time! Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg)

21:53 , Mike Jones

90+3 mins: There goes the full-time whistle and Manchester City get the job done. They came into the match with a two goal cushion and ended it four ahead of the Danish side.

It wasn’t as one-sided as expected but Copenhagen never really threatened to upset the rhythm of the tie. City go through to the next round without too much trouble.

Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg)

21:50 , Mike Jones

90 mins: Three minutes of added time to play before the end of this match.

Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg)

21:48 , Mike Jones

87 mins: Erling Haaland’s night is done and he is replaced with teenager Jacob Wright has makes his Champions League debut this evening.

He doesn’t have long to play but he’ll savour every minute of it.

Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg)

21:43 , Mike Jones

84 mins: Well inside the final 10 minutes now with Man City in complete control of the match and the fixture. Copenhagen are creating a few chances against City’s substitutes but so far they haven’t been able to break them down.

Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg)

21:41 , Mike Jones

81 mins: Cornelius is strong at the top of the pitch and chests the ball under control before slipping it back to Mattsson. He threads the ball into the box where Elyounoussi looks to shoot but gets bungled off the ball before ha can.

Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg)

21:38 , Mike Jones

78 mins: Slick move from Copenhagen as Mattsson sweeps up the pitch and gets to the box with a one-two. He shoots and wins the visitors a corner.

The ball is swung into the penalty area and Ederson fumbles his attempted clearance.

Copenhagen recycle the ball and send it back into the box. It drops to Elyounoussi who blazes a shot over the top.

Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg)

21:34 , Mike Jones

75 mins: Yep. Matheus Nunes is replaced with Micah Hamilton after having his fingers strapped together. It’s a quick fix and shouldn’t be too serious for Nunes.

15 minutes to play.

Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg)

21:32 , Mike Jones

72 mins: Matheus Nunes is down on the pitch with what looks like a dislocated finger. The physios have come onto the pitch and slotted the finger back into place.

He doesn’t look in a good way and will probably need to come off the pitch.

Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg)

21:28 , Mike Jones

68 mins: John Stones comes on for Manchester City and takes the place of Ruben Dias. The applause is huge for the City man who will need to be careful.

He’s set to play a crucial part against Liverpool and will want to get through the rest of this match without injury.

Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg)

21:26 , Mike Jones

65 mins: Save! The ball breaks inside the Man City penalty area after a fine run from Roony Bardghji, it rolls across to Magnus Mattsson who nails a shot at goal only for Ederson to keep it out!

Big moment for both teams but Ederson was up to the task.

Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg)

21:20 , Mike Jones

60 mins: Victor Froholdt and Elias Achouri are taken off for Copenhagen with Roony Bardghji and Magnus Mattsson brought on to replace them.

Can the substitutes inspire the visitors to push on and score again?

Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg)

21:16 , Mike Jones

57 mins: City whip a free kick into the penalty. There’s a slight tussle and the ball comes loose to Sergio Gomez. He runs onto a first time shot but Scott Mckenna gets in the way and makes the block.

Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg)

21:14 , Mike Jones

54 mins: The Copenhagen fans are still waving scarfs and singing wildly. They’re creating a nice atmosphere in the away section of the Etihad Stadium as their team fights to ge tback into this tie.

Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg)

21:11 , Mike Jones

51 mins: Julian Alvarez tees up Erling Haaland for another shot inside the penalty area but the forward’s effort is blocked and Copenhagen scramble the ball away.

Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg)

21:08 , Mike Jones

48 mins: Ederson is closed down right at the start of the half by Victor Froholt but City recover brilliantly to regain possession and work it clear.

That could have been an embarrassing moment for the City goalkeeper.

Second half! Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg)

21:04 , Mike Jones

Manchester City get the ball rolling for the second half. Pep Guardiola has made a change at the break with Rodri being taken off in favour of Sergio Gomez.

Guardiola is resting the key midfielder for the match against Liverpool on Sunday.

HT Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg)

21:01 , Mike Jones

Erling Haaland has scored his 41st Champions League goal (in 37 appearances), to move joint-17th alongside Sergio Aguero (41) in the list of leading Champions League goalscorers.

Alessandro Del Piero (42) is 16th on the list.

HT Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg)

20:57 , Mike Jones

Half-time! Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg)

20:50 , Mike Jones

45+3 mins: The whistle goes to end the first half. Manchester City have done what they must but Pep Guardiola will be slightly annoyed with the goal they have conceded.

Still, there’s plenty of encouragement for them to score more goals in the second half without fearing of losing this tie.

GOAL! Man City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg) - Haaland, 45+3’ ⚽️

20:49 , Mike Jones

45+3 mins: Erling Haaland gets his goal.

A lofted pass from Rodri sends the ball over to Haaland. He chests it down inside the box, shifts to the left and slots a low drilled shot into the near bottom corner!

Man City 2-1 Copenhagen (5-2 agg)

20:47 , Mike Jones

45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play before the break.

Man City 2-1 Copenhagen (5-2 agg)

20:44 , Mike Jones

42 mins: As half-time approaches, Manchester City are in full control. They’re trying to get high into the final third but Copenhagen are defending well.

Erling Haaland has barely had a chance to shoot.

Man City 2-1 Copenhagen (5-2 agg)

20:40 , Mike Jones

38 mins: Elyounoussi jogs off a heavy challenge as Copenhagen try to work the ball down the right wing. City recover possession but Josko Gvardiol loses the ball to Victor Froholdt.

The visitors look to go forward but don’t get very far.

Man City 2-1 Copenhagen (5-2 agg)

20:35 , Mike Jones

35 mins: There’s a belief and a confidence about Copenhagen now. They’ve got nothing to lose in this tie and their fans are being very vocal. They want to see more goals and are encouraging the visitors to attack more.

City try to regain control of the ball. They’re sitting on 70% possession already.

Man City 2-1 Copenhagen (5-2 agg)

20:33 , Mike Jones

32 mins: That goal came just as the TNT commentators were speaking about how Manchester City’s high play leaves them vulnerable defensively.

Copenhagen have one goal, if they can get another before half-time they’ll be over the moon and right back in the contest.

GOAL! Man City 2-1 Copenhagen (5-2 agg) - Elyounoussi, 29’ ⚽️

20:31 , Mike Jones

29 mins: Copenhagen pull on back!

This is a wonderful goal from the visitors. Man City are pressing high up the pitch as Mohamed Elyounoussi drives the ball forward. He slips a pass into the box for Orri Oskarsson who backheels the ball back to him.

Elyounoussi opens up his body and sidefoots a finish past Ederson.

Man City 2-0 Copenhagen (5-1 agg)

20:27 , Mike Jones

24 mins: City are doing what City do. Controlling possession, forcing their opponents to defend deep and playing the game at their own tempo before injecting some pace in the final third.

Man City 2-0 Copenhagen (5-1 agg)

20:22 , Mike Jones

21 mins: Oscar Bobb and Erling Haaland combine to work the ball into the box before Haaland shoots and wins a corner after Kevin Diks’ block.

The set piece is defended by Victor Froholdt who nods it behind for another corner.

Julian Alvarez whips the next one into the six-yard box and worries the goalkeeper for a minute. Grabara leaps to tip the ball over the crossbar but the whistle goes for a Copenhagen free kick.

Man City 2-0 Copenhagen (5-1 agg)

20:20 , Mike Jones

18 mins: Elias Achouri does well to win Copenhagen a corner and he whips the ball into the penalty area himself. It drops to teenager William Clem who decides to take a shot and smokes a half-volley over the crossbar.

Man City 2-0 Copenhagen (5-1 agg)

20:16 , Mike Jones

15 mins: Close! This could be a massive scoreline for Man City. Matheus Nunes sweeps into space on the right side of the pitch and carries the ball into the box.

He pulls it back looking for Erling Haaland but the pass gets intercepted.

Man City 2-0 Copenhagen (5-1 agg)

20:14 , Mike Jones

12 mins: Mateo Kovacic has gone to ground and needs a bit of treatment from the Man City medics. He doesn’t look too unsteady and City use the time to take on more instructions from Pep Guardiola.

GOAL! Man City 2-0 Copenhagen (5-1 agg) - Alvarez, 9’ ⚽️

20:11 , Mike Jones

9 mins: From another corner Julian Alvarez swings the ball into the box. It comes to Rodri who nods an effort onto the crossbar!

The ball rounds off the upright and comes back to Alvarez who fizzes a cross back into the middle. He finds the goalkeeper who fumbles the ball and drops it over the line.

City are two up inside 10 minutes.

Man City 1-0 Copenhagen (4-1 agg)

20:09 , Mike Jones

8 mins: That’s the goal Pep Guardiola will have wanted. In truth City would not have been nervous about this match but it’s an almost impossible task to score three goals at the Etihad Stadium.

That’s the task facing Copenhagen now.

GOAL! Man City 1-0 Copenhagen (4-1 agg) - Akanji, 5’ ⚽️

20:07 , Mike Jones

5 mins: There’s the opener!

Man City win the first corner of the match with Julian Alvarez scuttling across to take it. He sends an outswinging cross into the penalty area and picks out Manuel Akanji perfectly.

Akanji volleys his effort at goal, drills it with some pace and beats the goalkeeper to send the host in front.

Kick off! Man City 0-0 Copenhagen (3-1 agg)

20:02 , Mike Jones

Copenhagen get the match underway at the Etihad Stadium. They work the ball down the right wing and press high immediately. It’s a decent move but the ball runs out of play and City win a throw in.

Man City vs Copenhagen

19:57 , Mike Jones

Here come the teams.

The light show has finished at the Etihad Stadium and the players are making their way out on the pitch. Man City have a 3-1 advantage on aggregate leading into this tie.

Pep Guardiola has used that advantage to switch out seven of his key players and rest them ahead of the weekend Premier League game against Liverpool.

Man City vs Copenhagen

19:50 , Mike Jones

Last season’s final victory brought Pep Guardiola level with Zinédine Zidane and Bob Paisley with three European Cup wins as a coach in total.

Only Carlo Ancelotti has more with four.

Guardiola, a winner with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011, also became the sixth coach to lift the European Cup with two different clubs.

Man City vs Copenhagen

19:45 , Mike Jones

Man City have won each of their last nine games in the Champions League and could become just the third side to win 10 in a row in the competition, after Real Madrid (in February 2015) and Bayern Munich (a run of 15 in November 2020 and a 10-game run in November 2013).

Pre-match thoughts from Jacob Neestrup

19:40 , Mike Jones

Copenhagen coach, Jacob Neestrup, said: “I know we are behind and away to the best team in the world; it is close to impossible.

“But we saw against City at Parken last season that you can be down for 35 minutes, and then one situation changes the dynamic. We have to chase those situations.

“I have a lot of focus on coefficient points [which determine when Danish sides enter Uefa competition}. That’s why we mustn’t lie down.”

Pre-match thoughts from Guardiola

19:35 , Mike Jones

Man City coach, Pep Guardiola saud: “Copenhagen are really well-organised and very compact. We were really good in the first leg over there - we know what happened to Manchester United and Galatasaray, and they are really strong.

“It’s nice to have won the Champions League, and hopefully we can progress to the quarter-finals again. But we have respect for Copenhagen and we know that anything can happen.”

Guardiola on Rodri

19:30 , Mike Jones

Pep Guardiola spoke about Rodri and the impact the midfielder has on Manchester City.

He said: “It is difficult to understand what we have done in recent years without him. It would’ve been difficult. He is the best midfield player, currently, in the world by far.”

Man City vs Copenhagen

19:25 , Mike Jones

Aside from their five games against Copenhagen, City have played only four other matches against Danish clubs, with six of their nine matches overall coming in that 2008/09 Uefa Cup campaign.

That run started in the second qualifying round when both legs of their tie against Midtjylland ended in a 1-0 away win, City ultimately prevailing 4-2 on penalties.

After knocking out Copenhagen in the round of 32, they beat AaB in the last 16, also on spot kicks, winning the shoot-out 4-3 after two 2-0 home wins.

City’s record in knockout ties against Danish opponents is three wins and no defeats.

Neestrup on facing Man City

19:20 , Mike Jones

Jacob Neestrup, Copenhagen’s head coach, spoke about the difference between playing Manchester United and Manchester City.

“It’s simple: Manchester City right now are a better team,” he said, “We played three very good clubs in group stage but this is a step or two up.

“All teams can feel that difference when they play City.”

The Champions League is getting better and tougher says Guardiola

19:15 , Mike Jones

Pep Guardiola claims winning the Champions League is getting tougher every season.

Guardiola finally ended Manchester City’s long wait for European glory when he guided the club to success in the competition last season.

It had been City’s 12th successive campaign in the Champions League and their seventh under Guardiola, who had previously won it twice as Barcelona boss.

The Champions League is getting better and tougher – Man City boss Pep Guardiola

Man City vs Copenhagen

19:10 , Mike Jones

City are making their 11th successive knockout appearance and have won their last six contests at this stage. By contrast, Copenhagen’s sole previous round of 16 tie, in 2010/11, ended in elimination against English opponents.

Man City vs Copenhagen

19:05 , Mike Jones

Copenhagen reached the round of 16 for only the second time as Group A runners-up, eight points behind section winners Bayern Munich but three ahead of Galatasaray and four above City’s local rivals Manchester United.

Copenhagen line-up and team changes

19:01 , Mike Jones

Jacob Neestrup has faith in his young players and that show with his line-up for tonight.

Copenhagen XI: Grabara; Ankersen, Jelert, Vavro, Mckenna, Diks; Froholdt, Oskarsson, Clem; Achouri, Elyounoussi

Man City vs Copenhagen

19:00 , Mike Jones

Manchester City are closing in on a seventh successive Champions League quarter-final as Copenhagen travel to England needing to overturn a 3-1 home defeat.

City – 5-0 victors at home to the Danish side in last season’s group stage – won all six games in their section this season for the first time, finishing six points above Leipzig in Group G and scoring 18 goals in total against the German club, Young Boys and Crvena zvezda.

Man City vs Copenhagen

18:55 , Mike Jones

Man City are the leading scorers in the competition with 21 goals from seven games.

Pep Guardiola’s side have shown remarkable consistency too, scoring three in every one of their games. They have been particularly lethal in the last 10 minutes, scoring seven of their goals after the 80-minute mark.

Man City team changes

18:50 , Mike Jones

Pep Guardiola makes seven changes to the City line-up that started the Manchester derby last weekend. The players that remain in the team are Ederson in goal, Ruben Dias in defence, Rodri in midfield and Erling Haaland up front.

In come Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji, Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Mathues Nunes, Oscar Bobb and Julian Alvarez.

Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne start on the bench.

Man City line-up

18:47 , Mike Jones

Man City XI: Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodri, Kovacic, Bobb, Alvarez, Nunes, Haaland

Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Walker, Stones, Ake, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Gomez, Foden, Wright, Susoho, Hamilton

Man City vs Copenhagen

18:46 , Mike Jones

Phil Foden has seven goals and two assists in his last eight games in all competitions. Will he step up and perform again this evening or will Pep Guardiola rest him for a vital Premier League clash this weekend?

Pep Guardiola makes huge Phil Foden claim after Manchester derby masterclass

18:40 , Mike Jones

Pep Guardiola described Phil Foden as “world class” and the player of the season after the winger scored a match-winning double in the Manchester derby.

Manchester City were trailing to a Marcus Rashford goal before Foden struck twice, to take his tally to 18 goals for the campaign, in a 3-1 victory.

It led Guardiola to say the 23-year-old will become a legend, stating: “Winning games is when you become a world-class player. Everyone can play good but you have to win games and he wins games. What can I say?”

Pep Guardiola makes huge Phil Foden claim after Manchester derby masterclass

Man City and Copenhagen’s last meeting

18:35 , Mike Jones

Manchester City made it seven wins from seven in this season’s competition – and nine straight Champions League victories – in Denmark.

Kevin De Bruyne’s 10th-minute opener gave them an early advantage at Parken though Magnus Mattsson marked his Copenhagen debut with a fine equaliser in the 34th minute.

City were back in front before half-time through Bernardo Silva and took a firm grip on the tie when Phil Foden curled in a third two minutes into stoppage time at the end of the match.

Haaland on coping with missing chances

18:30 , Mike Jones

When City were 1-0 down, Erling Haaland missed a huge chance in the Manchester derby at the weekend to equalise. For 15 minutes or so he played on knowing that his team should be level before Phil Foden slotted in their first goal.

City went on the win 3-1 with Haaland scoring their third. His miss did not seem to affect the rest of his game, though that has not always been the case.

He explained: “It has been a challenge for me. When I was young, I could start crying if we lost and I missed chances.

“It is a mental thing, I don’t have any exercises but it is something I have been working naturally on. It is like everything in life, if you overthink it is it is not good. I have got one career and I try to have the best career possible and become the best version of myself.”

He added: “Last year [as] top scorer I got 36 goals and this season I have 18 so you can think in two ways if I have a good season or not. But, yeah, I miss a lot of chances. I will still miss a lot of chances and score goals.

“I will probably miss a big chance in the future and people will criticise me. I missed the biggest chance in the world two days ago.”

Hunger for trophies still there for Haaland

18:25 , Mike Jones

Erling Haaland says winning a treble with Manchester City last season has let him with a desire to win more trophies and silverware for the club.

He said: “You can think about it in two ways: one thing I came here and won it all and the other thing, I am 23 and won everything and I got the taste of it and how I work is when I feel this, I want to win it again. Easy as that.”

Erling Haaland deflects Real Madrid transfer talk to focus on new Man City target

18:20 , Mike Jones

Erling Haaland has declared that winning the treble has increased his hunger to do it all again as he insisted he is very happy at Manchester City.

The Norwegian, who has long been linked with Real Madrid, said he is not yet thinking about extending his deal at the Etihad Stadium, which runs until 2027, but is instead concentrating on repeating last season’s success.

Haaland scored 52 goals in his debut year for City as they won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League and Pep Guardiola’s side have the chance to repeat the feat.

Erling Haaland deflects Real Madrid transfer talk to focus on new Man City target

Man City vs Copenhagen prediction

18:15 , Mike Jones

Following their comfortable victory away in Denmark, Manchester City bring a two-goal cushion into the second leg.

They shouldn’t need it as Pep Guardiola’s men are drilled to win every game they play and have the ability, even with their squad players, to go through in comfort.

Manchester City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 agg.)

Predicted line-ups

18:10 , Mike Jones

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Gvardiol; Lewis, Rodri; Foden, Kovacic, Nunes, Doku; Alvarez.

Copenhagen XI: Grabara; Jelert, Vavro, McKenna, Diks; Goncalves, Falk, Mattsson; Elyounoussi, Larsson, Achouri.

What is the early team news?

18:05 , Mike Jones

Josko Gvardiol was back on the bench for the Manchester derby, leaving Jack Grealish as Pep Guardiola’s only senior absentee. The Manchester City manager may well look to rotate in places with a crunch clash with Liverpool to come on Sunday.

Copenhagen suffered an injury blow in their weekend league defeat as Viktor Claesson was withdrawn, while Emil Hojlund is a doubt. Lukas Lerager is back available having served a suspension but may also be out due to injury.

How to watch Man City vs Copenhagen

18:00 , Mike Jones

The second leg of the Champions League tie between Manchester City and FC Copenhagen is due to kick off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday 6 March at the Etihad Stadium.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 7.30pm GMT. Subscribers can stream the action via discovery+.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

Man City vs FC Copenhagen

11:07 , Sonia Twigg

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Man City vs Copenhagen.

Stay tuned for all the live updates and team news as Pep Guardiola’s side look to cement their place in the quarter-finals.