Record-breaking Haaland and Doku fire impressive City to victory over Napoli

Goals from Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku saw City get our 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign off to a flying start as Pep Guardiola’s side overcame 10-man Napoli 2-0 at the Etihad.

Antonio Conte’s Italian champions had been reduced to 10 men early in the first half after skipper Giovanni Di Lorenzo was shown a red card by referee Félix Zwayer for a foul on Erling Haaland after a VAR check.

Kevin De Bruyne’s emotional return to the Etihad was then cut short on 26 minutes.

Though the visitors defended stubbornly, City made our numerical advantage when that man Haaland – who else – broke the deadlock with a brilliant 56th minute header to become the fastest player to reach 50 goals in the Champions League.

It meant the Norwegian had reached the half century in just 49 games, easily overtaking previous record holder Ruud van Nistelrooy who reached it in 62.

City then deservedly doubled our advantage thanks to a superb solo effort from Jeremy Doku, the strike rounding off a fine display from the Belgian winger to ensure our European campaign hit the ground running.

Erling has now amassed 50 goals in 49 Champions League appearances with Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund and more latterly City.

It saw him become just the tenth player to reach 50 goals and now the fastest to achieve that feat with Ruud van Nistelrooy the previous fastest to reach the half century from 62 matches.

Source: yahoosports