FanNation Futbol

Kevin De Bruyne Dominates on Champions League Return As Man City Beat Copenhagen

Manchester City won 3-1 away at FC Copenhagen in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 clash. Kevin De Bruyne got a goal and two assists.

Robert Summerscales

Kevin De Bruyne Dominates on Champions League Return As Man City Beat Copenhagen
Kevin De Bruyne Dominates on Champions League Return As Man City Beat Copenhagen /

Manchester City won 3-1 away at FC Copenhagen in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 clash on Tuesday.

Kevin De Bruyne produced a goal and two assists in his first UCL outing since last year's final.

Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden also found the net for City.

Kevin De Bruyne pictured scoring a goal during Manchester City's 3-1 win at Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League in February 2024
Kevin De Bruyne pictured scoring a goal during Manchester City's 3-1 win at Copenhagen on Tuesday :: IMAGO/PA Images/Zac Goodwin

De Bruyne - who had missed City's first seven European games this season due to a hamstring injury - opened the scoring in Denmark with a fine low finish on 10 minutes after collecting a slick pass from Foden.

City looked in total control but an error by Ederson helped Copenhagen equalize in the 34th minute.

Ederson misplaced a pass and surrendered possession to Mohamed Elyounoussi. His shot was blocked but Magnus Mattsson brilliantly smashed home the loose ball from 20 yards on his Copenhagen debut.

City restored their one-goal advantage just before half-time when Silva beat Copenhagen keeper Kamil Grabara with a cheeky chipped finish following an unconventional tackle-pass assist by De Bruyne.

Grabara made an impressive nine saves in the home net but he was beaten again in second-half added time when Foden bagged his 15th club goal of the season after playing a neat one-two with De Bruyne.

Foden and De Bruyne have now each recorded eight goal involvements across all competitions in 2024.

City and Copenhagen will meet again on March 6 in the second leg in Manchester.

Highlights: FC Copenhagen 1-3 Manchester City

Published
Robert Summerscales
ROBERT SUMMERSCALES

Robert Summerscales launched FanNation Futbol in February 2022. Rob is a British journalist who previously spent two years on the sports desk at the Daily Mail in London, having earlier served as editor of CaughtOffside.com. He has been to the last two FIFA Men's World Cups, in Russia and Qatar, and is looking forward to completing his hat-trick in North America in 2026.