Man City Avoid Embarrassing Champions League Exit By Beating Club Brugge To Seal Playoff Berth

Man City have qualified for the Champions League last-16 playoff stage after beating Club Brugge in their final league phase game – and you can watch the highlights below.

Man City Beat Club Brugge To Qualify For The Last-16 Playoffs

City got off to a nervy start at the Etihad as Brugge caught them on the counter several times.

The hosts thought they scored the opener when Ilkay Gundogan raced through and put the ball in the back of the net but was correctly adjudged to be offside.

City then began to turn the screw. With Brugge camped in their own half, City continued to pepper the visitors’ goal but no breakthrough came.

That was until just minutes before time, but it was Brugge who scored the opener. As Jutgla broke down the left, he sent a brilliant ball into Raphael Onyedika, who smashed the ball past a helpless Ederson with City staring down the barrel.

City now needed two goals in 45 minutes to qualify for the playoffs.

And it took just 17 second-half minutes for them to make the turnaround. First came Mateo Kovacic’s equaliser eight minutes after the break. From the centre circle, the Croatian picked up the ball and drove at goal, before unleashing a low shot from outside the box which nestled into the net.

Then City got a slice of luck, after Gvardiol’s cross deflected in off Joel Ordonez, making it 2-1 after the hour mark.

Second-half substitute Savinho then sealed City’s comeback win with a brilliant goal after cutting in from the right.

WATCH: Man City 3-1 Club Brugge Highlights

City March On To The Last-16 Playoffs

It’s been an extremely underwhelming campaign in the Champions League for City this season. With just three wins, City qualified for the playoffs by the skin of their teeth.

They still have it all to do if they are to qualify for the last-16 as they head for the playoffs.

Meanwhile, despite defeat, Club Brugge also qualify for the playoffs after finishing in the final spot.