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Published : 29 Jan 2026, 04:48 AM
Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki struck before halftime to secure a Champions League place in the last-16 for their side in a 2-0 victory over Galatasaray on Wednesday.
Pep Guardiola's side claimed eighth spot with 16 points in the eight-game league phase to just avoid the two-legged playoffs and advance directly to the last-16 for a precious slice of breathing room in a packed fixture schedule.
Galatasary ended 20th on 10 points and go into the playoffs.
Haaland headed an early chance wide but made up for it in the 11th minute when Jeremy Doku delivered a perfect ball to put Haaland one-on-one with Ugurcan Cakır. The Norwegian chipped the ball over the keeper for his first open-play goal in 10 games.
Doku also provided the assist for Cherki's goal when he drew two defenders before laying the ball back for the Frenchman, who took a touch before slotting it home in the 29th minute.
Doku went off injured soon after to a standing ovation.
City were coming off a shock 3-1 defeat at Bodo/Glimt last week that left them 11th and needing a win to have a chance of claiming a top-eight spot.
Haaland's goal was his seventh in eight Champions League games and his 56th in 56 appearances in Europe's elite club competition. He is now joint-eighth on the all-time scorers list alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy, who netted 56 times in 73 games.
Haaland missed a late chance with would have been a stunning strike when he flew in with an outstretched leg but failed to connect with Phil Foden's cross into the six-yard box.
City controlled long stretches of the match and squandered numerous chances. Nico O'Reilly launched a rocket in the first half that Cakır tipped over. The keeper also saved a close-range shot from an unmarked Omar Marmoush in the second half.
Despite Galatasaray's spirited second-half response, City's much-needed victory - the fifth win of the campaign for the 2023 Champions League winners - never felt in doubt.
Guardiola was without new signings Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, as they are ineligible for Champions League action until the knockout stages, while key midfielder Rodri was suspended following his red card ast Bodo/Glimt.
