Erling Haaland believes Manchester City delivered under the pressure of the Champions League after they made a winning start to their European campaign in Porto. 

Haaland scored twice in a 2-0 win at Estadio Do Dragao on Tuesday, ensuring Enzo Maresca's strong start to life in the City dugout continued.

After growing into the game at the end of the first half, Haaland headed the visitors into the lead two minutes after the restart after being picked out by Enzo Fernandez's cross. 

Maresca's side were forced to survive a wave of Porto pressure but put the game to bed in stoppage time, with Haaland sweeping a first-time finish into the bottom-right corner.

Haaland's brace took him to 36 Champions League goals for City, equalling Sergio Aguero as joint-most for the Citizens in the competition, while he also moved up to seventh in the all-time rankings on 59, taking him two clear of Thomas Muller. 

The Norwegian has now scored 42 goals in 39 appearances in the group stage/league phase of the Champions League, the most of any player since his first season in the competition in 2019-20, though he put the performance of the team ahead of his individual achievements. 

"It was a difficult fight, man against man. They are a top team. Honestly, they are impressive," Haaland told Amazon Prime. 

"They play amazing football, so well done to them, but with all the pressure [on us], we had to deliver on the biggest stage. That's what we did today.

"I think honestly we controlled the first half. A bit uncomfortable when they came a bit high, but we created a lot of chances.

"I could easily have had a lot more goals, but in the second half we scored, and they pushed us for 25 minutes, but again we managed to hold through and then finish the game.

"I think these are the games that we have to win, and we have had a great start to the season.

"In the Champions League you have to win games because, if not, you suddenly get all the pressure, and then you never know what’s going to happen."

City have now won the first match of their Champions League campaign in seven of the last eight seasons (D1 – v Inter in 2024-25) since a 1-2 loss to Lyon in 2018-19.

And while Maresca will be pleased about his in-form striker continuing his blistering start to the campaign, the City boss will also be thrilled with the display of his defence. 

Porto failed to record a single shot in the first half of this game – the first time on record (from 2003-04) they had no shots in any half (first or second) of a Champions League match (excluding extra-time), with this being their 156th game in the competition in this time.

Maresca's men were able to restrict their opponents to an expected goals (xG) total of just 0.22 from their five shots, while generating a tally of 2.31 themselves from 20 attempts.

There was also an impressive midfield display from Ayyoub Bouaddi, who, aged 18 years and 341 days, became the fourth-youngest player to start a Champions League match for City. 

He also won possession back seven times, the most by a player aged 18 or younger on his Champions League debut for a club since Antonio Silva for Benfica against Maccabi Haifa in September 2022 (nine), leading to praise from Haaland. 

"I think he played a very good game. Last couple of weeks in training, I told the chairman that he has been amazing, so I think we have a gem here," Haaland added.

"But to be honest, I think he should have played me through in the second half when I was all alone.

"I was a bit angry, so I will tell him right now, he played a good game, except for that pass."