Haaland double seals City win in Maresca's Champions League bow

Manchester City dominated possession at the Estádio do Dragão but squandered chances at an alarming rate before the break. Haaland spurned two clear opportunities when Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa made smart saves, and the striker also headed over from promising positions. Rayan Cherki added to City's profligacy by firing wide at the rebound of one Haaland chance, with Costa denying the forward's low drive moments later.

The pattern changed abruptly after half-time. Just two minutes into the second period, Haaland nodded in Enzo Fernández's cross to open the scoring, using his physical presence to brush past Jakub Kiwior at the post.

Porto fought back with Alan Varela forcing a half-chance that curled just wide, and City's defence looked nervy when Gianluigi Donnarumma nearly lost possession to William Gomes. Those lapses proved costly as Maresca's side lost intensity, though Haaland sealed victory in stoppage time by converting Rayan Ait-Nouri's cutback.

The win leaves City unconvincing despite their dominance. According to Sky Sports, Porto managed only one shot on target despite starting to grow in confidence as the game wore on. Haaland's double—his 36th Champions League goal for City—now equals Sergio Agüero's club record. Maresca, who failed to win away in three Champions League ties as Chelsea boss last season, will view this as progress, though improvement is needed ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford.