Leroy Sane celebrates scoring a goal for Manchester City
Leroy Sane celebrates scoring a goal for Manchester City

Manchester City 2-1 Hoffenheim: Leroy Sane double gives City winning end to Champions League group as Lyon take final last 16 spot


Leroy Sane scored twice as Manchester City came from behind to beat Hoffenheim to top their Champions League group, where Lyon grabbed the final last 16 spot.

Sane cancelled out former Leicester striker Andrej Kramaric's early penalty with a stunning free-kick just before half time and grabbed his second on the hour.

City also hit the woodwork twice as they created numerous chances after making a sluggish start.

Pep Guardiola's side, who gave valuable experience to 18-year-old Phil Foden, dominated the second half and Sane could have had a hat-trick had he not passed up another shooting chance.

It was an impressive performance from the German - left out of his country's World Cup squad last summer - against a team from his homeland.

Hoffenheim claimed the advantage in the 16th minute after Aymeric Laporte bundled over Benjamin Hubner. Kramaric comfortably tucked home from the spot.

Gabriel Jesus, back up front in the continued absence of Sergio Aguero, hit the post with a thumping header from a corner and John Stones rose to meet a free-kick and force Baumann to save.

Nicolas Otamendi also hit the woodwork with a glancing header from a Gundogan free-kick.

The leveller came on the stroke of half-time after City were awarded a free-kick around 25 yards out. With no obvious specialists from that range on the field, Sane took responsibility and curled a fine effort into the top corner.

Baumann denied Jesus after the Brazilian was played in by a Sterling backheel but the keeper could do nothing after another quick counter-attack on the hour. Sane combined beautifully with Sterling and this time made no mistake as he slid a shot under Baumann.


Wednesday's Champions League results


Nabil Fekir was the hero for Lyon as his second half goal gave Lyon a 1-1 draw at Shakhtar Donetsk to ensure they qualified alongside City from their group.

Niklas Sule's own goal in the fifth minute of added time earned Ajax a 3-3 draw at home to Bayern, but it was the German side who finished top of the group by two points.

Both teams had a man sent off - Maximilian Wober for Ajax and Thomas Muller for Bayern - and four goals were scored after the 82nd minute during a thrilling finish in Amsterdam.

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