Erling Haaland double sees Manchester City to fiery win in Porto rain

Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team’s second goal. Pic: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Champions League: Porto 2 Man City 0

Erling Haaland struck twice as Manchester City returned to the field after a half-time tunnel bust-up to open their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win at Porto.

Tensions boiled over in the aftermath of a Marc Guehi clash with Porto’s Gabri Veiga late in the opening period at the Estadio do Dragao, leading to security staff stepping in as players and officials headed down the tunnel.

Haaland brushed off the furore to nod home after 47 minutes but City needed to cling on for much of the second half of a testing league phase encounter played largely in pouring rain.

Porto roared back and created a number of clear-cut opportunities but Haaland finally calmed nerves when he prodded home his second in stoppage time.

There was a further coming-together of players shortly before the final whistle, which was sounded to much relief from the visiting ranks, signalling a winning start in the competition under Enzo Maresca.

The game was slow to come to life, with City not threatening until the 15th minute when Phil Foden combined with Antoine Semenyo and whipped in a cross for Haaland. Porto captain Diogo Costa produced the first of several good saves to keep out the Norwegian’s powerful header.

He was in action again soon after to block Foden’s low shot and then made a fine double save to repel a volley from Haaland and a follow-up attempt from Rayan Cherki.

As City lifted the tempo, Porto tried to slow it down and the game became scrappy with a number of stoppages towards the first half.

Josko Gvardiol was booked after a clash with William Gomes and controversy erupted after Guehi caught Veiga with his arm jumping for a header. Players argued with each other and the referee, who did not book the City player, as the game was stopped for Veiga to receive treatment.

Tempers had not cooled by the time the half-time whistle was blown and security staff reportedly needed to step in to prevent scuffles as the players headed for the dressing rooms.

After the niggly end to the first half, the game opened up dramatically after Haaland headed City ahead early in the second.

The goal came after Cherki kept the ball alive on the right and found Enzo Fernandez, who floated in a cross for the centre-forward. This time Costa had no chance as Haaland planted his header in off the post.

Porto responded positively with Pepe heading wide, although there was further delay as he claimed he was fouled by Donnarumma in the process and the hosts appealed for a penalty.

It was not given but they went close again when Alberto Costa headed across the face of goal from a corner and the fans thought they had scored when Alan Varela’s drive flew narrowly wide.

City roused themselves for a strong finish and Haaland put the result beyond doubt when he turned in from Rayan Ait-Nouri’s cutback.

Tempers flared again after a poor tackle by Pablo Rosario on Haaland, and Porto coach Francesco Farioli was also booked, but City had done their job.