Manchester City became only the second English side in Champions League history to win all six of their group stage games on Wednesday evening after beating Red Star 3-2 in Serbia.
Having already sewn up first place in Group G, Pep Guardiola’s youthful side impressed in Belgrade, with Champions League debutant Micah Hamilton opening the scoring with a fine first half finish.
Oscar Bobb doubled the visitors’ advantage after an hour at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, producing a similarly delightful effort after some nice skill.
A 76th-minute consolation for the hosts did offer Man City a scare, but Kalvin Phillips’ late penalty ensured another win for the European champions despite Aleksandar Katai’s even later header.
How the game unfolded
Having already secured top spot in their Champions League group, Pep Guardiola was able to heavily rotate his Man City side, bringing in the likes of Phillips, Bobb and Hamilton. It was the latter that put the European champions in front after a tepid start to the game, the 20-year-old jinking on to his right foot and unleashing a powerful drive into the roof of the Red Star net.
While the Serbian side did almost draw level, 17-year-old Kosta Nedeljkovic cutting in on his left foot and curling an effort just over the crossbar, Man City extinguished any Red Star momentum with their dominance on the ball.
Hamilton almost turned provider just before half-time after he slid a delivery across the face of the Red Star goal, with Bobb just inches away from tapping home at the far post to double City’s advantage.
It was Man City’s dynamic young winger Hamilton who looked the most likely to add to their lead, curling an effort just wide of Omri Glazer’s post shortly after the break. However, Stefan Ortega had to be sharp to rebuff enticing efforts from Cherif Ndiaye and Guelor Kanga at the other end.
But it was soon time for Bobb to take some of the plaudits in Belgrade. The 20-year-old Norwegian danced into the penalty area just after the hour mark, cutting in on his left foot and calmly slotting into the back of the net off the inside of the post. A truly terrific finish from the Man City prodigy.
Red Star did pull a goal back for the hosts with 15 minutes remaining, Hwang rifling a low strike beyond a helpless Ortega, but the energetic Hamilton won a late penalty which Kalvin Phillips converted calmly.
The hosts responded once again in stoppage time, but it was an ultimately meaningless goal from Katai as Man City left Serbia with all…
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