Man City 3-0 Young Boys – Haaland gets shirty, classy Nunes and Stones setback
Manchester City progressed effortlessly into the knockout phase of the Champions League after easing past the Swiss side Young Boys, with the holders hardly breaking a sweat in the process.
Erling Haaland’s first-half penalty and a sublime goal from Phil Foden just before the interval established a lead that was rarely threatened thereafter as the home side kept their first clean sheet in the competition this term and extended their unbeaten run at the Etihad Stadium in Europe to an English record 28 matches.
The Norwegian scored twice as Man City beat Young Boys 3-0 to become the first side to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages - along with RB Leipzig - but it was the unexpected shirt swap that had everyone talking.
With City already leading an out-of-their-depth Young Boys 2-0 at half-time, visiting captain Mohamed Ali Camara asked Haaland for his shirt as they left the pitch. The striker duly obliged, although appeared to say "you cannot do this" as he did it.
"100% not having it. That's embarrassing" was the immediate reaction of ex-Scotland striker Ally McCoist on TNT Sports, while there was disbelief on social media at Camara's actions.
But, as Haaland fired in a sensational second after the break from 20 yards, McCoist added: "To be fair, I'd be asking for his jersey after that. He's a machine."
Young Boys coach Raphael Wicky said he was "surprised" and would have a "few words" with his skipper.
Haaland's scoring exploits continue to astound.
He now has 39 goals in 34 Champions League matches.
Still just 23 and in only his fifth campaign in the competition, the Norway striker is already 20th in the all-time list of scorers.
His tally since joining City is just as prolific. He has scored 67 goals in 70 games since signing from Borussia Dortmund last summer - breaking a host of records along the way.
After watching Haaland score just his third goal from outside the box for City, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand told TNT: "He is frightening.
"If he starts adding scoring from long range to his game, he is becoming impossible to mark."