MANCHESTER (Nettavisen): Against Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, he scored a penalty that he won himself before halftime. After the break, he increased the lead to 3–0 for City when he ran free after a massive run into the box, after Ilkay Gündogan had doubled the lead just beforehand.
– It’s completely insane. It’s absolutely unbelievable. Kind of surreal, says Andrine Hegerberg, who is a guest in TV 2’s studio during the halftime break.
But City totally collapsed in the second half and squandered their victory. It ended 3–3 in Manchester.
– We have lost many games lately, we are fragile, and of course we need a win. The match was good for confidence, we played at a good level, and for the first time something happened, we have problems, says City manager Pep Guardiola to Amazon Prime after the collapse.
Wild Haaland celebration
Haaland won a penalty shortly before halftime and took the penalty himself after a brief VAR check.
The goal was his 45th in the Champions League, a milestone he has reached earlier than Lionel Messi did.
– He is in great company, but he is a unique talent, says TV 2 commentator Øyvind Alsaker.
– It’s truly unfathomable what he is doing in the Premier League, Champions League, and for the national team, he continues.
After the Norwegian’s second goal, where he ran free into the box and simply slid the ball into the net, Sky Sports’ Tim Sherwood noted Haaland’s behavior.
He felt the goal seemed to mean a little extra for the hungry striker.
– I have never seen him celebrate such an easy goal like that before. It’s a weight off his shoulders, says Sherwood.
City collapse
With a quarter of an hour to go, Josko Gvardiol made a huge error with a weak backpass. Anis Hadj Moussa intercepted the ball and put it in the net from a difficult angle. Just under ten minutes before the end, Feyenoord reduced the gap again after poor defensive play by City.
– What a turnaround, says Brede Hangeland.
Pep Guardiola looked extremely frustrated on the sidelines and almost sarcastically applauded what he witnessed from his team defensively.
– It’s goals, it’s a match, and it’s complete chaos, says Alsaker.
City is now in its clearly worst period under Guardiola’s management. The team has lost five games in a row, becoming the first champions to do so since 1956 ahead of Thursday’s Champions League match against Feyenoord.
How did the Manchester City vs. Feyenoord match affect the teams’ standings in the Champions League?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Football Expert on the Manchester City vs. Feyenoord Match
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our interview segment! Today, we’re diving into the thrilling Champions League match between Manchester City and Feyenoord that ended in a surprising 3-3 draw. Joining me is football expert, Dr. Sarah Thompson. Welcome, Sarah!
Sarah Thompson: Thank you for having me! It was indeed a dramatic match.
Editor: Let’s start with Erling Haaland’s performance. He scored the first goal from the penalty spot and then added another to make it 3-0. What did you think of his overall contribution to the game?
Thompson: Haaland was sensational, as we expect from him. The first penalty showcased his aggressive style of play—he won it himself by drawing a foul after relentless pressure. His second goal really highlighted his speed and positioning. To beat defenders and finish clinically in the box is a hallmark of his talent.
Editor: Absolutely. Andriy Hegerberg described the momentum as “insane” and “unbelievable.” It must have felt surreal for the fans watching. What does this say about the atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium?
Thompson: The atmosphere was electric, especially when City went up 3-0. Fans were buoyed by their team’s performance after a series of disappointing results. However, that joy quickly turned to disbelief as Feyenoord mounted a comeback. This mix of emotions is what makes football so engaging.
Editor: Speaking of the comeback, what went wrong for Manchester City in the second half? Guardiola mentioned the team’s fragility—how significant is that in high-stakes games like this?
Thompson: Fragility in football often correlates with mental and physical resilience. City had a dominant first half, but they may have become complacent. When Feyenoord started scoring, you could see the psychological shift. The pressure built, and the players seemed to lack the confidence and composure to respond effectively. In high-stakes matches, maintaining focus and composure is crucial for closing out games.
Editor: Guardiola emphasized the need for confidence-building victories. Given the team’s recent struggles, how can they regain that winning mentality?
Thompson: It’s all about reverting back to the fundamentals—maintaining strong communication on the pitch, reinforcing tactical discipline, and working together as a unit. They need to trust their training and adapt from games like this one. Each match presents an opportunity for growth, and with experienced leaders in the squad, I believe they can bounce back.
Editor: Lastly, how does this result impact both teams moving forward in the Champions League?
Thompson: For City, this draw feels like two points dropped, which will weigh heavily as they aim for qualification. They’ll need to assess and address the defensive lapses. For Feyenoord, this draw can serve as a massive confidence boost. Coming back to draw against one of Europe’s elite teams shows they can compete at this level, and they’ll likely carry that momentum into their next fixtures.
Editor: Insightful as always, Sarah. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this exhilarating match!
Thompson: Thanks for having me! I can’t wait to see how both teams develop from here. Football never fails to keep us on our toes!