Manchester City clinched the top spot in Group A of the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League with a match to spare as they defeated visiting Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
PSG had claimed the reverse fixture in September, but they couldn't replicate the result in Manchester. Instead, a dominant Sky Blues side was victorious, although they needed a comeback in the final half-hour of play to secure the three points.
Despite City having several chances in the first half, including an İlkay Gündoğan effort that rung off the post, there was no score at halftime. The hosts would rue their lack of incisiveness in the second half's early stages as Kylian Mbappé put PSG in front in the 50th minute. Mbappé collected a feed from Lionel Messi and slotted the ball between the legs of onrushing City goalkeeper Ederson, giving the visitors the lead against the run of play.
The Sky Blues would answer 13 minutes later, following a good spell of possession as they searched for the equalizer. A well-timed long ball into the PSG penalty area by Rodri met a charging Kyle Walker down the right side, and the right-back cushioned a volley across the face of a goal that was deflected fortuitously by Gabriel Jesus before being stabbed home by an awaiting Raheem Sterling. It was no less than the home side deserved after controlling the play for long stretches of the match, although neither team appeared content with a stalemate.
Moments after Neymar missed a golden opportunity at the other end, City made the Parisians pay. In a similar move to their previous goal, City used a well-placed lob into the PSG box to shift the defense and find the back of the net. However, this time it was Riyad Mahrez putting the long ball into the danger area, with Bernardo Silva deftly cushioning the ball across the goalmouth for Gabriel Jesus to capitalize on. The 76th-minute goal put City in front for the first time in the match, and they did not give up the lead as they were able to keep PSG at bay until the final whistle.
The result puts City on 12 points after five matches, while PSG remains in second place with eight points. PSG will also advance to the knockout round as a 5-0 RB Leipzig hammering of Club Brugge on Wednesday means the two latter clubs will enter the final matchday with four points apiece.