Manchester City booked direct passage to the Champions League last 16 with a controlled 2-0 win over Galatasaray at the Etihad Stadium. First-half goals from Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki settled the contest,
while Benfica’s 4-2 victory against Real Madrid confirmed City’s place in the competition’s top eight.
The result also brought a major personal milestone for Pep Guardiola. The Manchester City manager reached 400 wins in his 569th game in charge of the club, the fastest any manager working in England’s top division has required to hit that total across all competitions.
Manchester City started with early pressure and quick movement in attack. After just three minutes, Rayan Ait-Nouri delivered a precise cross from the left. Haaland found space on the right side of the area but sent a free header wide of the far post when the opening goal looked likely.
Haaland corrected that miss seven minutes later. Jeremy Doku slid a through ball behind the defence, and Haaland ran clear. The forward reached the pass first and lifted a measured chip over Ururcan Cakir, who had advanced from goal, sending the ball into the empty net for the opener.
City kept pushing and almost struck again when Nico O’Reilly tested Cakir with a powerful drive from distance. The second goal came in the 29th minute. Doku attacked down the right and squared low across the box, where Cherki arrived to guide a composed finish into the bottom-left corner.
Doku left the pitch injured before the interval, with Phil Foden coming on. Foden nearly turned the scoreline into a three-goal lead late in the half. The substitute met a loose ball inside the box but lifted a rising shot over the crossbar under little pressure from the defence.
Galatasaray increased their intensity after the break yet struggled to create many clear chances. Manchester City maintained shape and control for long spells. Gianluigi Donnarumma was still needed once, stretching to block a shot from Victor Osimhen, who had broken into the area from the inside-left channel.
Top eight secured We progress straight into the #UCL round of 16 pic.twitter.com/ZEv96ymIR8Manchester City (@ManCity) January 28, 2026
Manchester City Champions League statistics and key numbers
There were chances at the other end too. Cakir prevented a third Manchester City goal with a sharp save from Omar Marmoush. Later, Davinson Sanchez tried to drag Galatasaray back into the match with a long-range drive, but the effort swerved gently and went straight into Donnarumma’s gloves.
Last season, Manchester City fell short of the main knockout rounds after losing a play-off against Real Madrid. This time, Guardiola’s side avoided that route completely. The combination of their win over Galatasaray and Benfica’s result against Madrid secured direct entry to the Champions League round of 16.
Haaland’s opener carried extra meaning. The goal was Haaland’s first from open play since December and moved the forward to 56 Champions League goals. That tally drew level with Ruud van Nistelrooy on the all-time list, leaving only seven players with more goals in the competition’s history.
Underlying numbers highlighted the difference in attacking threat. Manchester City finished with 1.64 expected goals, reflecting many promising situations in and around the area. Galatasaray produced 0.22 expected goals despite hitting the target with all four attempts, underlining how few high-quality chances were created.
Galatasaray extended a difficult run in Europe, going four matches without a win, with one draw and three defeats. The Turkish club still secured a Champions League play-off spot and will meet either Juventus or Atletico Madrid in a two-legged tie for a place in the last 16.
The night ended with Manchester City safely into the Champions League knockout stage and Guardiola reaching another landmark. Haaland returned to scoring form, Cherki impressed in attack, and the team managed the second half with control, while Galatasaray turned attention to their upcoming play-off challenge.
