“More tricks than a magician” – Fans in disbelief as spectacular solo goal from Mateo Kovacic helps Manchester City qualify for UCL knockouts

Fans were left awestruck after Manchester City star Mateo Kovacic scored a brilliant goal to help the club win 3-1 against Club Brugge.

“More tricks than a magician” – Fans in disbelief as spectacular solo goal from Mateo Kovacic helps Manchester City qualify for UCL knockouts

Mateo Kovacic scored a brilliant solo goal for Manchester City in a 3-1 win over Club Brugge. (via Yahoo)

Manchester City narrowly avoided a Champions League scare, as they secured a brilliant 3-1 comeback win over Club Brugge in their final league stage encounter. Mateo Kovacic and Savinho found the back of the net for the EPL giants. 

The defending Premier League champions were at risk of failing to make it into the UCL knockout stages for the first time since 2013. However, their last-round victory over Belgian side Club Brugge helped them advance to the knockout playoffs. They finished in the 22nd position on the UCL table. Man City qualified with 11 points from eight matches, overcoming their recent slump in all competitions. 

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Visitors Club Brugge had taken an unlikely first half lead into the match. Midfielder Raphael Onyedika scored a 45th minute goal, shocking the home crowd. City leveled in the 53rd minute through Mateo Kovacic’s strike, which was followed by an own goal from Brugge defender Joel Ordonez. Second-half substitute Savinho then scored the final goal in the 77th minute to help City complete their comeback.

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Kovacic was the Man of the Match as he scored a spectacular solo goal. Having found it difficult to replace Rodri this season, the 30-year-old reminded fans of his abilities. Kovacic received the ball at the halfway line and ran unchallenged towards the Brugge box before drilling the ball into the far right corner. He finished from the edge of the box, despite being surrounded by five defenders. 

It marked Kovacic’s fifth goal of the season in his 25th appearance for the Cityzens this term. Meanwhile, recent reports suggest that Saudi PL side Al-Nassr is willing to sign the Croatian midfielder from Man City on a staggering €140 million deal. 

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Fans heap praise on Mateo Kovacic for his individual strike in 3-1 UCL win for Manchester City

Mateo Kovacic paid off Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola’s trust by scoring a brilliant individual goal to help the club secure a win. Man City qualified for the UCL knockouts after securing a 3-1 comeback win over Club Brugge. 

Mateo Covacic fans Manchester City
Manchester City star Mateo Kovacic was praised by fans for his Man of the Match display against Club Brugge. (via X)

Fans and social media users reacted to the ex-Chelsea midfielder’s display. One fan went on to claim that Kovacic has got more tricks than a magician, praising the midfielder’s skills. Another fan exclaimed that the 30-year-old veteran star has been successful enough in raising the bar in the absence of Rodri. Some others called him the ‘unsung’ hero of the club. 

Meanwhile, Guardiola’s side will now be preparing for a tough list of EPL fixtures up ahead against Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Nottingham Forest. They will be hoping to make an EPL comeback.