Haaland double seals City's Champions League opener after half-time tunnel bust-up at Porto

Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City began their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 victory at Porto on Wednesday, a result that came amid flaring tempers and a half-time tunnel confrontation at the Estadio do Dragao.

Tensions boiled over at the end of the first half after a clash between Marc Guehi and Porto’s Gabri Veiga, with security staff forced to intervene as players and officials made their way down the tunnel. The incident set an edgy tone for the second period, but Haaland wasted little time making his mark, nodding City in front just two minutes after the restart.

The goal did little to settle the contest. Porto roared back and carved out a number of clear-cut chances, keeping City under sustained pressure through much of a second half played in driving rain. Enzo Maresca’s side were forced to defend resolutely before Haaland finally put the result beyond doubt, prodding home his second in stoppage time.

A further flashpoint between players arrived shortly before the final whistle, though the referee’s intervention brought an end to what had been a fractious evening. The win nonetheless marks a positive opening to City’s league-phase campaign under Maresca, who claimed his first Champions League victory as the club’s head coach.

Haaland’s brace takes his Champions League tally to another landmark, underlining his continued importance to a City side that had to dig deep to see off a Porto team that will feel they deserved more from the night.