Haaland Bags Brace In Man City Comeback Victory Over Yokohama Marinos
- Erling Haaland at the double in thrilling Manchester City comeback victory.
Manchester City started their preparations for the new season with an exciting comeback win over Yokohama Marinos in Tokyo.
Pep Guardiola went for a strong line-up from the start, mixing established stars with prospects, and it was one of those youngsters who went closest to the opener on 25 minutes when Cole Palmer brought a good save out of the goalkeeper with an effort from range.
Just two minutes later, the home side struck for the opener through Anderson Lopes when an initial effort was saved and he reacted quickest to the loose ball and punish City’s slack defending to put Marinos in front.
And Yokohama, reaping the benefits of being in mid-season form and fitness, doubled their lead shortly afterwards through Ken Matsubara which looked like it would be for a half-time lead until City kicked into high gear and levelled things with a quickfire double.
The first came from John Stones who sidefooted high into the net from the edge of the area after some quick work around the penalty area before Julián Álvarez equalised three minutes later when he pounced from close range after Kalvin Phillips won possession from the goalkeeper with a high press.
City came out after the interval with 10 second half changes (with only Stefan Ortega keeping his place) and one of them, Erling Haaland, took just seven minutes of the new campaign to get back on the goals trail as he was picked out inside the box with his back to goal before swivelling and finding the far corner.
Inside the final 20 minutes, Rodri picked up where he left off in the Champions League final by effortlessly curling home from range for the treble winners and although Kenta Inoue pulled one back to set up a nervy conclusion, it was City and Haaland who had the last laugh.
Deep into injury-time, he had the final say by finishing from João Cancelo’s pass to send the City support home happy.
Next up for Pep Guardiola’s side is a clash with German champions Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
