Copenhagen vs Manchester City - LIVE!

Manchester City eased past FC Copenhagen with a 3-1 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at the Parken Stadium, with Phil Foden scoring late to ensure a two-goal cushion ahead of the second leg.

Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring with a brilliant first-time finish in the 10th minute but the home side roared back with a tremendous equaliser from Magnus Mattsson, who netted in the 34th minute of his debut for the Danish champions. That breathed new life into the raucous Copenhagen crowd, but their team fell behind again just before the break when De Bruyne's persistence in a block tackle saw the ball fall to Bernardo Silva, who finished deftly with his left foot.

The Copenhagen defence looked like they had managed to hold firm but Foden cut in from the left in second-half stoppage time to rifle home a third goal and make it 11 wins on the trot for the English champions ahead of the second leg on March 6.

Copenhagen vs Man City latest news

• GOAL! Foden extends advantage late on

• GOAL! Silva puts City back in front

• GOAL! Mattsson pounces on Ederson mistake

• GOAL! De Bruyne gives City early lead

FT: Copenhagen 1-3 Man City

21:54 , Matt Verri

That was pretty much the final kick of the match.

It’s 11 wins in a row for Man City and they have one foot and four toes in the quarter-finals.

Copenhagen need a miracle in Manchester.

GOAL! Copenhagen 1-3 Man City | Phil Foden 90+3'

21:53 , Matt Verri

They have a third now though!

De Bruyne with a perfect cut-back, Foden with the composed finish and City are cruising now.

Copenhagen 1-2 Man City

21:52 , Matt Verri

90+3 mins: Two HUGE chances for Haaland.

He’s clean through on goal, unable to beet the goalkeeper. Nunes’ shot on the rebound is blocked.

Ball then swung to the back post, Haaland with a free header... denied by Grabara again.

Copenhagen 1-2 Man City

21:50 , Matt Verri

90 mins: De Bruyne looks to play Haaland in on goal, overhits the pass. Belgian hasn’t quite been at his ruthless best tonight, a few loose passes.

Three minutes added on.

Copenhagen 1-2 Man City

21:48 , Matt Verri

87 mins: Handball on the edge of the area, decent chance this for City.

De Bruyne the man to take, he tries to be clever and goes under the wall but it’s a tame effort. Easily saved.

Copenhagen 1-2 Man City

21:46 , Matt Verri

85 mins: Rodri drives into space on the edge of the area, opts not to shoot. City still as patient as ever.

Doku skips to the byline, ball to the back post but Haaland can’t make contact as he throws himself at it

Copenhagen 1-2 Man City

21:42 , Matt Verri

82 mins: Copenhagen camped back in their own half.

Feel like they really need an equaliser in the next 10 minutes or so - needing to win at the Etihad not a great position to be in.

Copenhagen 1-2 Man City

21:38 , Matt Verri

77 mins: Haaland... off the top of the bar!

It’s brilliant football from City, Silva stands up a cross to the back post and Haaland’s looping header bounces off the woodwork. Out for a corner.

Silva now coming off, after that blow to his ankle. Nunes on.

Copenhagen 1-2 Man City

21:35 , Matt Verri

75 mins: Diks joins his Copenhagen team-mate in the book.

Dives in on Silva, catches him late and high. Not a good challenge at all, Silva not moving well after that.

Fair to say he’s not thrilled with that tackle from Diks.

Copenhagen 1-2 Man City

21:32 , Matt Verri

72 mins: Hojlund, brother of the Manchester United striker, is on for Copenhagen.

And within seconds, he has barged Haaland off the ball. Referee gives it as a foul, Copenhagen furious. Falk booked for dissent.

Copenhagen 1-2 Man City

21:30 , Matt Verri

69 mins: Doku has space to run into on the left, trouble for Copenhagen.

Cuts inside, whips an effort towards the top corner and it’s a good save from Grabara to deny him. Strong hand.

Copenhagen 1-2 Man City

21:27 , Matt Verri

67 mins: Foden’s shot is blocked, McKenna getting his body in the way. Corner.

De Bruyne’s delivery is again headed out, City haven’t made the most of their set-pieces tonight.

Copenhagen 1-2 Man City

21:24 , Matt Verri

63 mins: A rare touch for Haaland, and it’s a decent chance.

De Bruyne swings the cross in, Haaland free in the middle but he nods a header straight at the goalkeeper.

Copenhagen 1-2 Man City

21:21 , Matt Verri

61 mins: Great header from Ake, had to be too.

Sharp counter from Copenhagen, ball swung to the back post and Cornelius is waiting to turn it home. Ake gets down low and heads it out though, superb defending.

Copenhagen 1-2 Man City

21:19 , Matt Verri

59 mins: Stones the furthest man forward for City at the end of the another flowing mood.

De Bruyne plays him in behind, but the defender/midfielder/striker is just offside.

Copenhagen 1-2 Man City

21:15 , Matt Verri

55 mins: Rodri slides a pass through to De Bruyne, who hammers an effort at goal from the edge of the box. Great save to tip that behind.

De Bruyne takes, not his best and it’s cleared away at the near post.

Copenhagen 1-2 Man City

21:14 , Matt Verri

53 mins: Silva swings a cross into the box, Foden looks to swing a boot at it in mid-air but can’t make contact.

Ball looped back in towards Haaland, but he can’t get there. Once again, he’s barely had a kick. Usually means he’s about to score...

Copenhagen 1-2 Man City

21:10 , Matt Verri

50 mins: Copenhagen win a corner, chance to bring the defenders up.

Flicked on at the near post, Ederson is briefly scrambling across his goal but City deal with it.

Copenhagen 1-2 Man City

21:09 , Matt Verri

48 mins: Rodri takes a kick to the back of the calf, which sends him to the ground momentarily.

There has been little for City to worry about, beyond that Ederson mistake, but there have been a couple of injury concerns. Rodri is fine though.

Back underway!

21:05 , Matt Verri

Up and running for the second-half.

Silva responds

20:59 , Matt Verri

Copenhagen weren’t level for long though.

A lot of fortune in how the ball came to him, but nothing luck about the finish from Silva.

Out of nothing!

20:53 , Matt Verri

Ederson’s big mistake gifted Copenhagen a way back into the match...

HT: Copenhagen 1-2 Man City

20:50 , Matt Verri

There is the half-time whistle.

City dominant for 90% of the half, but they were punished for a sloppy mistake from Ederson.

Back in control now though, thanks to that late Silva goal.

Copenhagen 1-2 Man City

20:49 , Matt Verri

45+3 mins: De Bruyne and Foden with a brilliant one-two, ball into the middle is charged down.

City pushing for a third before the break.

GOAL! Copenhagen 1-2 Man City | Bernardo Silva 45'

20:46 , Matt Verri

Three minutes added on... and City take the lead again!

That is fortunate. De Bruyne loses the ball, but it bounces perfectly into the path of Silva. He’s suddenly clean through, lovely flicked finish into the bottom corner.

Copenhagen 1-1 Man City

20:43 , Matt Verri

42 mins: There is an almost unbearable siren noise being blared out when City have the ball. Would say disqualification from the tournament would be a fair punishment.

Back to matters on the pitch, Doku looks to beat his man on the outside but Jelert reads it. Sees the ball out of play.

Copenhagen 1-1 Man City

20:40 , Matt Verri

39 mins: At long last, Copenhagen have come alive.

Mattsson has found space on the left, Foden doesn’t track the run. Brings the ball down in the box, but fires the shot high over the bar.

Copenhagen 1-1 Man City

20:37 , Matt Verri

37 mins: The home fans are really up for it now!

City quickly back into their pattern of knocking the ball around confident, but Copenhagen have been handed a real lift.

GOAL! Copenhagen 1-1 Man City | Magnus Mattsson 34'

20:35 , Matt Verri

WOW!

Ederson with an awful pass out, under no pressure at all.

Elyounoussi pounces, his shot is blocked but it falls to Mattsson. He runs onto it and curls a sensational finish into the far corner.

Copenhagen 0-1 Man City

20:34 , Matt Verri

33 mins: Better from Copenhagen, they get numbers forward as Mattsson looks to cut it back. Combination of Stones and Silva clears the danger.

Hosts suddenly offering a bit of a threat.

Copenhagen 0-1 Man City

20:30 , Matt Verri

30 mins: City with another lovely move, finishing with Haaland trying something very special.

Ball pinged out to Doku, he fires the ball back across the face of goal and it’s an acrobatic effort from Haaland, ball flies over the bar.

City straight back on the attack, great block to deny Doku. Visitors are relentless.

Copenhagen 0-1 Man City

20:27 , Matt Verri

27 mins: Foden down now, he got caught as he played the pass to De Bruyne. Looks to be in a fair bit of pain.

He’s up and walking ok though, will be fine to continue. Injuries threatening to put a sour note on the night for City.

Copenhagen 0-1 Man City

20:25 , Matt Verri

25 mins: Decent ball in, Dias heads it away to safety though.

City look to break, as Foden plays it across to De Bruyne. Jelert does well to get back, winning a cheap free-kick in the process.

Copenhagen 0-1 Man City

20:24 , Matt Verri

23 mins: Off the post!

Silva drifts away from the challenges on the left. Plays the ball into the middle, takes a deflection and bounces back off the woodwork. Copenhagen very fortunate it’s only 1-0.

A rare attack at the other end though, and a first Copenhagen corner.

Copenhagen 0-1 Man City

20:22 , Matt Verri

21 mins: There it is. City smash the ball out of play and now the change will be made, Doku on for Grealish.

So frustrating for Grealish, who had actually made a pretty bright start to the match.

Copenhagen 0-1 Man City

20:20 , Matt Verri

20 mins: Grealish looks absolutely gutted after trudging off. Looks like he is going to come back on, but Doku is warming up.

Could be a very brief return to the pitch, for Grealish.

Copenhagen 0-1 Man City

20:18 , Matt Verri

18 mins: Concern here though for Grealish, making his first start in a month.

Drifts inside with the ball, pokes it to a team-mate and then falls to the floor, immediately waving his hand to the bench.

Physios are on, but his night could be over.

Copenhagen 0-1 Man City

20:17 , Matt Verri

16 mins: Ake dinks a ball in behind, too much on it for Haaland.

Grabara can claim in goal - a touch for Copenhagen! Six seconds later, City have it back.

Copenhagen 0-1 Man City

20:14 , Matt Verri

13 mins: This already feels like it could be a very long night for Copenhagen. They can’t get near the ball.

Home fans making plenty of noise, but it’s having no real impact.

De Bruyne swings a superb ball into the middle, inches too high for Haaland.

GOAL! Copenhagen 0-1 Man City | Kevin De Bruyne 10'

20:11 , Matt Verri

Well that has been coming!

De Bruyne played in behind, relatively tight angle but it’s a brilliant finish. Passes it into the far corner.

Copenhagen 0-0 Man City

20:09 , Matt Verri

9 mins: Good footwork from Grealish, wins a free-kick for the visitors in a great position, Just outside the area, perfect angle for a right-footer. De Bruyne standing over it.

De Bruyne... fires a shot straight into the wall.

Copenhagen 0-0 Man City

20:07 , Matt Verri

6 mins: Copenhagen have barely had a kick, it’s all City.

Bit of frustration already from Stones, who clatters into Stones. Just a free-kick.

It’s taken quickly, stood up to the back post by Silva. Dias’ header is parried straight out, Ake can’t turn the rebound home from two yards out.

Copenhagen 0-0 Man City

20:04 , Matt Verri

3 mins: Big chance!

Ake clips the ball into the middle, De Bruyne completely free and he heads wide from six yards out.

Didn’t make enough contact, flicked well wide in the end. Had to score really.

Copenhagen 0-0 Man City

20:02 , Matt Verri

2 mins: Loud boos as City knock the ball around confidently. Think the home fans might get bored of that before City get bored of having possession.

Maybe not. Walker goes long, to nobody in particular and there are cheers around the stadium.

KICK-OFF!

20:00 , Matt Verri

We’re up and running in the first leg!

Here we go!

19:55 , Matt Verri

Stadium is bouncing, Copenhagen fans making themselves heard after so long away. Scarves waving, every other person seems to have a drum.

Players are out onto the pitch.

Neestrup: We're facing best team in the world

19:50 , Matt Verri

Copenhagen boss Jacob Neestrup has been speaking about the challenge facing his side, as they go from two months without a competitive fixture into facing the Champions League holders.

“The advantage is of course there is a hunger to play a game like this,” he says.

“The disadvantage is we go from our training camp straight into this. We've done everything we could to make our training games as competitive as we could.

“Of course, it's difficult to go from the training pitch to the playing the best team in the world."

Pre-match thoughts from Pep Guardiola

19:44 , Matt Verri

“We have seen what Copenhagen can do against Manchester United and Galatasaray in a really tough group. When I saw what they did I thought 'wow'.

"They will be starving to compete and full of energy. I don't know what their rhythm will be like but hopefully we will be at a good level to compete.

"We have to be prepared mentally. We have to be ready to suffer as it will be a tight game. Normally, my gut doesn't lie to me."

Final in London...

19:39 , Matt Verri

The Champions League final will be held at Wembley on June 1.

Could we have Manchester City vs Arsenal in London? Fair to say there’s a bit more confidence in the chances of one of those sides than the other...

Copenhagen back in competitive action

19:29 , Matt Verri

Just the 63 days since Copenhagen’s last competitive match!

That was the win over Galatasaray in December, booking their place in the last-16 of the Champions League.

Been a long winter break since then - could well be a bit rusty, despite some recent friendles.

Another upset in Copenhagen?

19:20 , Matt Verri

Copenhagen were only narrowly beaten at home by Bayern Munich earlier this season, having taken the lead, and they beat Manchester United in a thrilling clash.

The Danish side are certainly capable of holding their own on home soil, even if tonight is a significant step up.

City looking to take charge

19:12 , Matt Verri

Almost regardless of the result tonight, Man City will be confident of getting the job done in the second leg on home soil.

Pep Guardiola will want his side to take charge of the tie in Denmark though, to give him options to rotate at the Etihad.

That second leg, on March, comes three days after a Manchester derby and just before a potentially decisive trip to Anfield.

Copenhagen team news

19:04 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Grabara, Vavro, McKenna, Diks, Jelert, Mattsson, Falk, Diogo Goncalves, Elyounoussi, Claesson, Achouri.

Subs: Runarsson, Buur, Sorensen, Larsson, Cornelius, Oskarsson, Ankersen, Meling, Clem, Hojlund, Roony, Froholdt

Grealish one of four changes

18:57 , Matt Verri

Jack Grealish starts for Man City tonight - rare chance for him to impress.

Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Kyle Walker all come back into the side, while Nathan Ake gets the nod at left-back. Josko Gvardiol not in the squad.

Erling Haaland leads the line, fresh off of scoring a brace at the weekend.

Man City team news

18:49 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Foden, Grealish, Haaland

Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Doku, Alvarez, Akanji, Nunes, Bobb, Wright, Susoho, Lewis

Premier League representation halved

18:40 , Matt Verri

There are only two Premier League clubs left in the Champions League.

Newcastle and Manchester United both failed to make it out of their groups, finishing bottom as they crashed out of Europe completely.

English flag is being flown by City and Arsenal, who face Porto in the last-16.

Familiar rivals...

18:31 , Matt Verri

These two team met in the group-stage of the Champions League last season.

It was a goalless draw in Copenhagen, so we won’t focus on the highlights of that, but City hammered the Danish side 5-0 at the Etihad.

City perfect in Europe

18:22 , Matt Verri

City absolutely cruised through their group to reach the last-16.

Six matches, six wins, 18 goals scored in the process. RB Leipzig, Young Boys and Red Star Belgrade were all swept aside.

Can Copenhagen slow the City charge, starting tonight in the first leg? Big, big ask.

Guardiola dismisses treble talk

18:13 , Matt Verri

Can Man City win the the treble again? Pep Guardiola gives them a 0.01% chance.

He said “It’s a fairytale. It’s more complicated than that. We have 99.99% possibility that we are not going to win the treble because it has never been done.

“So the chances to do it again are like this. If it was easy, another team – United at that time – would do it again. What I like is the satisfaction of the celebration at Luton Town when we were in trouble or beating Brentford when we didn’t last season.

“The players know how difficult it is and how difficult it will be. What I like is that we are still there and hopefully we arrive in March and April with the same feeling to fight for the titles in May. This is the target.”

Stage is set!

18:03 , Matt Verri

It’s a cloudy night in Copenhagen...

Standard Sport prediction

17:56 , Matt Verri

City haven’t been particularly thrilling away from home in Europe in a while but look strong favourites for a routine victory in this kind of form.

Man City to win 3-0.

Man City team news

17:49 , Matt Verri

Pep Guardiola has recently welcomed back Erling Haaland, John Stones and Manuel Akanji from spells on the sidelines, all three of whom played in the weekend win over Everton.

City were even able to rest a handful of star players at the Etihad Stadium ahead of this trip to Denmark.

Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva can all expect to return to the starting line-up with Stones, Matheus Nunes and Jeremy Doku the most likely candidates to drop to the bench.

Guardiola will have to decide whether to risk Ruben Dias, who is one yellow card away from a one-game ban, although City may end up preferring the Portuguese defender to serve a possible suspension in the last-16 second leg rather than during the quarter-finals.

Predicted Man City XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Rodri, De Bruyne; Silva, Alvarez, Foden; Haaland

Copenhagen team news

17:43 , Matt Verri

Lukas Lerager is suspended for the hosts, while Davit Khocholava and Theo Sander are injured.

Birger Meling is also a doubt, though former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Runarsson and ex-Nottingham Forest defender Scott McKenna may feature.

How to watch Copenhagen vs Man City

17:38 , Matt Verri

TV channel: The game will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate. Coverage starts at 7pm GMT ahead of the 8pm kick-off.

Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Discovery+ app.

LIVE coverage: Follow all the action right here with us!

Good evening!

17:32 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Copenhagen vs Man City.

The Champions League is back, as the serious business of the knockout stages gets up and running.

City, unsurprisingly, are the favourites to defend their European crown.

We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8pm GMT from the Parken Stadium.