Micah Hamilton became the youngest English player at 20 years and 30 days to score on his Champions League debut since Marcus Rashford in 2017 for Manchester United, who did it at 19 years and 316 days, as he helped Manchester City get past Red Star Belgrade to finish the group stage with 100% and reach the Champions League last 16.
The 20-year-old has been with Manchester City since he was nine years old, and he gave Manchester City the lead after 19 minutes against Red Star Belgrade in Serbia.
Another City academy graduate, 20-year-old Oscar Bobb, managed his first goal for the Premier League club as he curled home the team’s second on 63 minutes.
The hosts made it 2-1 through Hwang In-beom moments later, but Kalvin Phillips converted a penalty with five minutes left after Hamilton had been fouled. Alex Katai made the result more respectable deep into stoppage time to make it 3-2.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged how hard the game was, especially with the intense and hostile atmosphere.
“It was a hard-fought match, physically demanding with a lot of man-on-man contact. But I am happy with what we achieved and how the team performed. People sometimes write off these games as not essential for us, but it’s the exact opposite. Every win counts. Today, with really young players, they played really well. And a demanding game because the opponent played a lot of man-to-man, so aggressive, with so much speed up front. It was a proper football game with an exceptional crowd.” Guardiola said.
Manchester City had a 100% record, topping the group that had the likes of RB Leipzig, Young Boys, and Red Star Belgrade. The Cityzen can now turn their attention to the Premier League, where they are in a distant fourth position behind Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa.
The Premier League defending champions will host Crystal Palace this weekend and play against Everton at Merseyside before hosting Sheffield United in their final Premier League game of the year.
The 20-year-old has been with Manchester City since he was nine years old, and he gave Manchester City the lead after 19 minutes against Red Star Belgrade in Serbia.
Another City academy graduate, 20-year-old Oscar Bobb, managed his first goal for the Premier League club as he curled home the team’s second on 63 minutes.
The hosts made it 2-1 through Hwang In-beom moments later, but Kalvin Phillips converted a penalty with five minutes left after Hamilton had been fouled. Alex Katai made the result more respectable deep into stoppage time to make it 3-2.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged how hard the game was, especially with the intense and hostile atmosphere.
“It was a hard-fought match, physically demanding with a lot of man-on-man contact. But I am happy with what we achieved and how the team performed. People sometimes write off these games as not essential for us, but it’s the exact opposite. Every win counts. Today, with really young players, they played really well. And a demanding game because the opponent played a lot of man-to-man, so aggressive, with so much speed up front. It was a proper football game with an exceptional crowd.” Guardiola said.
Manchester City had a 100% record, topping the group that had the likes of RB Leipzig, Young Boys, and Red Star Belgrade. The Cityzen can now turn their attention to the Premier League, where they are in a distant fourth position behind Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa.
The Premier League defending champions will host Crystal Palace this weekend and play against Everton at Merseyside before hosting Sheffield United in their final Premier League game of the year.
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