Shamoon Hafez
Football reporter

Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City began their Champions League campaign with a comfortable victory against Porto.

Norway star Haaland scored the only goal against Coventry on Saturday and was the match winner once more, nestling a header into the far corner and rolling home another to take his tally to 36 Champions League goals for City in only 40 appearances.

City have been knocked out by Real Madrid in each of the past three season but their return to Lisbon's Estadio do Dragao - where they lost the 2021 final against Chelsea - was a much more pleasurable experience.

Enzo Maresca's side have started the Premier League season with three straight victories and they controlled this contest, with an impressive showing by teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi's on his first start for City.

Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa had an inspired first half, twice denying Haaland with superb reflex saves, while also keeping out efforts from Antoine Semenyo and Phil Foden.

Francesco Farioli's side have won all five league games so far this season but were left frustrated at home and often showed how tough a task they have in Europe, failing to manage a single shot in the opening 45 minutes.

Though Alan Varela curled narrowly wide after his side fell behind to Haaland's opener and William Gomes also screwed off target, they ended the contest without being able to call Gianluigi Donnarumma into action.

The result means 2004 champions Porto have won only two of their past 17 games against English teams in European competition, while City will be aiming to lift the trophy for the first time since their Treble-winning campaign in 2023.

How the Man City players rated

Gianluigi Donnarumma: Booked for catching Pepe when jumping off his line and fortunate when a wayward clearance struck William Gomes and rebounded narrowly wide. 5

Matheus Nunes: Assured performances from the Portugal international in his first start of the season. 6

Ruben Dias: The captain was solid at the back and made more passes than any other player on the pitch. 6

Marc Guehi: Fortunate not to be cautioned when smashing into Gabri Veiga with a leading arm into the face. Made an excellent recovery challenge to deny Gomes. 6

Josko Gvardiol: Booked in the opening period after tugging back Gomes and substituted early in the second half. 5

Ayyoub Bouaddi: Confident showing from the Moroccan on his first City start. Tidy in possession and did not look out of place in the Champions League at 18. 8

Enzo Fernandez: Worked well in tandem with Bouaddi and provided the perfect cross for Erling Haaland's goal. 7

Antoine Semenyo: Threatened from the left and had a curling effort saved by Diogo Costa but often wasteful in possession. 6

Phil Foden: Should have done better with a low strike that was kept out by Costa, but struggled to make an impact from the right. 6

Rayan Cherki: Some neat touches playing in the number 10 role, but struggled to create chances before being taken off. 6

Erling Haaland: Quiet early on and forced the busy Costa into two stunning saves with a towering header and low strike. Was not to be denied with his second-half double. 9

Subs:

Abdukodir Khusanov (on 48, Gvardiol): Did his job. 6

Iliman Ndiaye (on 62, Cherki): Direct running and had an effort saved by Costa. 6

Elliot Anderson (on 62, Semenyo) Tidy, as expected and forced Costa into tipping a rising strike over. 6

Rayan Ait-Nouri (on 76, Foden): Decent showing off the bench. Could have scored - provided the assist for Haaland's second goal. 7

Mateo Kovacic (on 76, Bouaddi): 6

Subs not used: Bettinelli, Rulli, Reis, Lewis, Allan, McAidoo.

Player of the match

E. Haaland
8.59
99 Diogo Costa
7.03
52 Martim Fernandes
5.38
4 J. Kiwior
5.26
18 N. Pérez
5.05
20 Alberto Costa
5.02
22 A. Varela
5.00
19 André Silva
5.00
7 William Gomes
4.98
10 Gabri Veiga
4.96
42 S. Fofana
4.96
11 Pepê
4.91
29 S. Giménez
4.80
16 Hwang In-Beom
4.76
17 Borja Sainz
4.74
74 Francisco Moura
4.70
13 P. Rosario
4.33
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