Foden and Haaland Shine as Manchester City Thrash Dortmund 4-1

Phil Foden scored twice, both long-range curlers, as Manchester City defeated Borussia Dortmund 4-1 in the Champions League. Foden has now netted 11 goals from outside the box since 2023-24. Erling Haaland’s intelligent movement created space for Foden, showcasing a growing partnership that’s redefining City’s attacking dynamic.

For the Champions League clash at the Etihad, Manchester City’s 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund showcased a revitalized Phil Foden, who struck twice from range to underline his growing influence. The England international opened the scoring with a stunning curler before adding another precision finish in the second half, taking his tally to 11 goals from outside the box since the start of the 2023-24 season, more than any other Premier League player.

Pep Guardiola hailed his star, saying Foden was “back,” praising his finesse and confidence in finding the corners rather than relying on power. The victory also reflected the evolving partnership between Foden and Erling Haaland, whose clever movement continually draws defenders and creates pockets of space for Foden to exploit. Haaland’s off-ball runs and Foden’s sharp turns are redefining City’s attacking dynamic after Kevin De Bruyne’s departure.

Against Dortmund and in previous games against Monaco and Bournemouth, their improved chemistry has been evident. Alongside the flair of Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki, City now possess a versatile and dangerous front four. Foden’s return to form and his understanding with Haaland signal that Manchester City’s attacking rhythm is firmly back on track.