
Erling Haaland has only failed to score in one match this season
At a glance
Erling Haaland scores for 12th consecutive game following first half opener
Captain Bernardo Silva doubles Man City's lead before half-time
Victory ends CIty's winless away run in Champions League stretching back over a year
Erling Haaland found the net for a 12th consecutive game to maintain his incredible goalscoring streak and help Manchester City end their winless away run in the Champions League with victory at Villarreal.
Haaland's blistering form has now seen him score 24 goals in 14 games for club and country this season, as City claimed three points on the road in Europe for the first time in over a year.
The Norwegian's goal to open the scoring was that of a striker with deadly instincts, darting ahead of marker Juan Foyth and converting a first-time finish from Rico Lewis' low cross.
City had opportunities from the off - Haaland headed wide inside two minutes and Jeremy Doku tested Luiz Junior within the first few seconds with a low strike that the home goalkeeper batted away.
Pep Guardiola's side dominated the first half and captain Bernardo Silva deservedly doubled the advantage before half-time, planting a free header into the net from Savinho's cross.
Villarreal attempted to get back into the game in the second half as Pape Gueye stung the palms of Gianluigi Donnarumma and former Chelsea defender Renato Veiga headed against the post late on, but City emerged victorious.
Analysis: Man City building up momentum
Tuesday's triumph at Villarreal extended City's unbeaten run in all competitions to nine games and they are well placed in fifth position in the group phase of the Champions League, winning two and drawing the other of their three matches.
They are already showing an improvement on their performance last season when they finished in 22nd place to go into the play-offs, where they were knocked out by Real Madrid.
They face the La Liga giants on their next European away trip in December, heading into that match having ended a run of five without victory on the road in the competition.
City's previous Champions League win outside Manchester came on 1 October 2024 in their 4-0 thrashing of Slovan Bratislava but they never looked in any trouble against Villarreal.
The early chances set the tempo and scoring two goals in the first half allowed City to control and see out the contest in the second period, showcasing their growing confidence.
Ruthless striker Haaland loves scoring goals against any team but particularly enjoys facing Spanish opposition, having now netted nine goals in as many games against opponents from La Liga.
Boss Guardiola continues to take pleasure in playing Villarreal too as he has never tasted defeat against the opponents in nine meetings.
One concern will be an apparent injury to midfielder Nico Gonzalez, who himself has been playing in the absence of Rodri, hobbling off just short of the hour mark.
Analysis: Yellow Submarine sunk by City
With a population of around 50,000, Villarreal have been punching above their weight by regularly finishing in the top-10 in La Liga over the course of the last two decades.
Both Villarreal and City supporters will have enjoyed the Spanish side's Europa League final victory on penalties over Manchester United in 2021, their biggest trophy win to date.
Marcelino's side currently lie third in the Spanish division behind giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, but were made to look ordinary for the most part by an in-form City.
They called Donnarumma into action in the second half and also struck the woodwork but now have work to do if they are to progress in this competition, having failed to win any of their first three games.
What next for these two sides?
Villarreal: Marcelino's men return to La Liga action on Saturday with a short trip to Valencia (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Manchester City: Pep Guardiola's men also have an away trip in the Premier League to Aston Villa on Sunday (14:00).
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