Man City vs Club Brugge LIVE: Hosts qualify for Champions League knockout rounds with win solid win
Man City 3-1 Club Brugge: Pep Guardiola’s side had to win to stay in the competition
Manchester City pulled off a great escape to qualify for the Champions League play-off round on tense and nervous evening at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s men came into the match sitting 25th in the league and knew that only victory would be enough to send them into the knockout rounds. Club Brugge, fighting for a place in the next stage themselves, set up with a low block and frustrated City from the start.
The visitors were also lightning quick on the counter attack and were the more threatening side in the first half. Ardon Jashari sent them ahead on the break with a fine first-time strike and City needed to respond.
Pep Guardiola brought on Savinho who was electric and direct. After Mateo Kovacic equalised with a fantastic individual effort, Savinho played a hand in the next two goals – firstly setting up Josko Gvardiol to force in an own goal before bringing down John Stones’ cross and slotting home himself.
With a two-goal cushion, the players, the fans and the manager relaxed and City – by the barest of margins – got the job done.
Relive the updates from the Etihad Stadium in our live blog below:
How did the other English clubs get on?
Despite losing to PSV Eindhoven tonight, Liverpool finished top of the table and are through to the last-16 already.
Arsenal and Aston Villa both won their final league games and secured a place in the top eight meaning they automatically go through as well.
A very fine showing from the English clubs.
Kovacic named Player of the Match
Mateo Kovacic has been named Player of the Match.
Uefa's Technical Observer Panel said: "He did very well at keeping the ball and managing the tempo of the game, as well as scoring a crucial goal at the right time."
City ecstatic
Manchester City will be celebrating that win for a while but they needed to dig deep to secure it.
Mateo Kovacic reacts to City's win:
“Every team in the Champions League is a tough one. First of all, we are happy we are through because it was a tough group stage, lets say, for us.
“It was not easy, but we are through and that’s the most important. Whoever comes [in the next round] it does not matter.”
Man City's next opponents
Manchester City finished 22nd in the Champiosn League table.
As it stands that means they could have to play Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the play-off round.
A tough one for Pep’s men.
FT Man City 3-1 Club Brugge
Man City make it into the Champions League knockout rounds.
Full-time! Man City 3-1 Club Brugge
90+1 mins: The whistle goes to end the match at the Etihad Stadium.
It’s a perfect result actually. Manchester City got themselves into the knockout rounds and Club Brugge are through as well.
Both teams head into the play-off rounds and City’s campaign is still alive.
Man City 3-1 Club Brugge
90 mins: There’s only one minute of added time to play.
City are going through.
Man City 3-1 Club Brugge
84 mins: City are in control now. They’ve got possession and they’ve got a lead.
There’s no urgency for them now.
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