Manchester City rally to beat Club Brugge and reach play-offs

Manchester City kept their Champions League campaign alive on Wednesday as they overturned a half-time deficit to beat Club Brugge 3-1 and snatch a place in the play-off round.

The 2023 winners had been in danger of missing out on the knockout stages for the first time since 2012-13 after falling behind to a Raphael Onyedika strike in their must-win clash at the Etihad Stadium.

They hit back after the break through Mateo Kovavic before an own goal from Joel Ordonez and a further strike from impressive substitute Savinho carried them through.

That prompted sighs of relief from all round the ground as City lifted themselves to 22nd position in the league phase.

It was not convincing but, amid a disappointing campaign, the final result was all that mattered.

Their Belgian opponents at least had the consolation of knowing they would also go through.

City's night had started badly when a merchandise kiosk outside the stadium caught fire and it took a stirring second-half revival to ensure their European hopes also did not go up in smoke.

A dismal 4-1 defeat at Sporting Lisbon followed by a calamitous 3-3 draw with Feyenoord and further losses to Juventus and Paris St Germain had left City’s campaign hanging by a thread.

They began the night 25th in the league phase standings and knowing only a victory could prolong their presence in the competition.

Guardiola’s side controlled a lot of play but the City boss cut an agitated figure as Brugge’s well-organised rearguard repelled their threat and launched some dangerous counter-attacks.

The visitors almost found a way through after three minutes when Christos Tzolis broke clear but Chemsdine Talbi’s shot was blocked by Josko Gvardiol.

City had openings with Phil Foden shooting wide and