UCL: Manchester City 2-1 Hoffenheim

Leroy Sane celebrates with Gabriel Jesus

Manchester City sealed top spot in Group F after coming from behind to beat Hoffenheim 2-1, with Leroy Sane scoring twice.

Needing just a point to guarantee going through as group winners, City seemed to be suffering a hangover from their defeat at Chelsea on Saturday and fell behind to an Andrej Kramaric penalty (16).

However, Sane struck a stunning free-kick to level it up (45+1) before finishing a flowing counter-attack (61) after a clever pass by Raheem Sterling, who played 90 minutes just four days after suffering alleged racist abuse at Stamford Bridge.

 

Hoffenheim had to win to have any chance of qualifying in a Europa League spot and they were in front on 16 minutes.

Aymeric Laporte bundled over Benjamin Hubner which allowed former Leicester City striker Kramaric to slide home from the spot.

 

City struggled to find their rhythm from open play but looked dangerous from set-pieces as Gabriel Jesus hit the post and Nicolas Otamendi smacked the woodwork with a glancing header.

Just as it looked like City were out of ideas before the break, the equaliser came via the boot of Sane, who curled a majestic effort from 30 yards into the top corner.

 

City improved after the break as the visitors began to tire. Sane squandered an amazing three-on-one chance after passing to Bernardo Silva rather than shooting.

The winner did come when Sane combined with Sterling and was more ruthless with this finish.

Phil Foden played 90 minutes and nearly capped a brilliant second-half performance with a left-foot volley that was tipped over the crossbar by Oliver Baumann.