-
UCL: Manchester City teenager Rico Lewis makes history in a comeback win against Sevilla.
Manchester City rookie Rico Lewis makes history as City come from behind to complete their commanding Champions League group stage with a 3-1 defeat of Sevilla on Wednesday.
Rico Lewis scored his first goal for the team to mark his first senior start. While Riyad Mahrez and Argentina’s Julian Alvarez both scored, the night belonged to Lewis because Erling Haaland was again out due to injury.
Pep Guardiola made seven changes to his starting lineup despite the fact that City were already guaranteed to win Group G and Sevilla was guaranteed to finish third. At the Etihad Stadium, 17-year-old right-back Lewis took advantage of his chance.
In the 31st minute, Rafa Mir gave Sevilla the lead with a perfectly placed header past City’s backup goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
RELATED:
- UCL: Paris Saint-Germain defeats Juventus, shockingly finished second in Group H
- Manuel Neuer reveals how many times he underwent surgery for skin cancer on his face
- Watch: McTominay jokily steal Garnacho’s hat and kicks it out of training
But Lewis, who was joined in the starting side by 20-year-old Cole Palmer, levelled in the 52nd minute when he ran onto a slide-rule pass by Alvarez and lashed home.
In doing so, Lewis, who is 17 years and 346 days old, broke the record held by Karim Benzema, who was 17 years and 352 days old when he scored for Lyon, to become the youngest player to score on their first start.
After being set up by an exquisite pass from substitute Kevin de Bruyne, Alvarez then displayed a cool finish to give City the lead in the 73rd minute. He took the ball around goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and fired into the top of the net.
Mahrez then sealed the victory with a clinical finish after another assist by Alvarez.
With 14 points, City took first place in the group, while Borussia Dortmund, who finished second, also advanced to the round of 16.