Manchester City extended their winless run to six matches after Feyenoord staged a sensational comeback to secure a 3-3 draw in a dramatic Champions League clash at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
City appeared to be cruising to a comfortable victory, having established a commanding 3-0 lead by the 50th minute. Erling Haaland opened the scoring with a well-taken penalty, followed by Ilkay Gündogan’s volley, which deflected off David Hancko into the net. Haaland then added his second with a perfectly timed slide to cap what seemed like an unassailable advantage.
However, the Dutch side, inspired by captain Quinten Timber, mounted an extraordinary turnaround in the final stages of the game.
The fightback began in the 74th minute when Anis Hadj Moussa capitalized on a defensive lapse by Josko Gvardiol. Moussa dribbled past goalkeeper Ederson and finished from a tight angle to ignite hope for the visitors.
Santiago Giménez further reduced the deficit in the 81st minute, converting a clever assist from Jordan Lotomba. With City’s defense under immense pressure, the equalizer came in the 89th minute as David Hancko headed in a precise cross from Igor Paixao, sparking jubilant celebrations among Feyenoord’s traveling fans.
City nearly reclaimed victory in stoppage time when Jack Grealish’s deflected shot hit the crossbar, but Feyenoord held their ground.
The result entered the record books as the first instance in Champions League history where a team leading by three goals as late as the 74th minute failed to secure a win, according to OptaJoe.
The draw elevated Feyenoord to 20th place in the Champions League standings, a position that provisionally guarantees a playoff spot. However, their progression depends on results from Wednesday’s fixtures before they host Sparta Prague on December 11.
For Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, the outcome exacerbates a troubling run of form. With six matches without a win across all competitions, the Premier League champions face increasing pressure as their season teeters on the brink of crisis.
