Haaland extends his scoring streak to 12 games as City overpower Villarreal with ruthless precision
Erling Haaland was once again the difference as Manchester City stormed to a commanding victory over Villarreal, continuing their charge in Europe with a performance that left little doubt about their growing dominance.
The Norwegian striker struck early in Spain, notching his 24th goal in 14 matches for club and country and extending his extraordinary scoring run to 12 consecutive games. His goal set the tone for a night where Pep Guardiola’s side looked entirely in control, brushing aside their hosts with ease.
“It feels like we’re coming back to who we were,” Guardiola said afterwards. “We have the feeling that again we can control games.”
City’s control was apparent from the opening whistle. Within 26 seconds, Savinho, Jérémy Doku and Haaland had already combined to force Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Júnior into a save, before the striker glanced a header just wide moments later.
Villarreal’s coach, Marcelino García Toral, admitted afterwards: “That filled us with doubts about everything. We were like a boxer waiting to be hit. City is very good, and they have a plan.”
If Haaland was the finisher, City’s midfield was the engine. John Stones, stepping up from defence with authority, orchestrated much of the build-up play, dictating the rhythm in what at times looked like a 3-2-4-1 formation. With City enjoying nearly two-thirds of possession, the yellow shirts of Villarreal rarely managed to escape their own half.
When the breakthrough came on 17 minutes, it was vintage Guardiola: slow, deliberate passing giving way to a lightning strike. Savinho exchanged six short passes with Stones, drawing the defence out before slicing them open with a quick turn of pace. Rico Lewis timed his run perfectly between two defenders, collecting Savinho’s angled ball and squaring across goal. Inevitably, it was Haaland thundering in to finish.
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It looked effortless, almost rehearsed, and it broke Villarreal’s fragile resistance. When City added their second before half-time, it felt inevitable. Again, patience was key — a flurry of passes down the right before Savinho floated a cross towards Bernardo Silva, unmarked amid nine yellow shirts. The Portuguese midfielder headed home coolly, giving City a deserved two-goal cushion at the break.
Guardiola later praised Silva’s intelligence and positioning, saying, “He has a head like a hammer. He always knows where the space is.”
Villarreal attempted to rally in the second half, with Pape Gueye and Nicolas Pépé testing Gianluigi Donnarumma, but their efforts never seriously threatened to change the course of the match. Alberto Moleiro had a shot blocked and Juan Foyth went close, but City’s grip remained unshaken.
By the time Haaland was substituted five minutes from time, the home fans were jeering in frustration and relief. He had already peppered Luiz Júnior with two more fierce efforts — both well saved — before leaving the pitch to a chorus of whistles.
“He’d already done enough damage,” one Spanish commentator noted drily.
For Guardiola, the match was a sign of a team rediscovering its identity after a patchy start to the season. With Stones, Lewis, and Savinho all shining and the attack once again flowing through Haaland, City looked every bit the powerhouse that conquered Europe last year.
Villarreal, meanwhile, could only watch as the Premier League champions passed and pressed with frightening precision. “We were alive in the second half,” Marcelino said, trying to find positives. But by then, the contest was already gone.
In stoppage time, substitute Tani Oluwaseyi headed against the post for Villarreal — their best chance of the night — before City coolly saw out the final minutes.
It was a night that summed up City’s ruthless efficiency: Haaland clinical, Guardiola composed, and the opposition simply outmatched.