Manchester City stretched their unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions as Pep Guardiola’s side cruised to a 2-0 UEFA Champions League win at Villarreal.
Erling Haaland scored his 15th goal of the campaign, to hand the visitors an early lead, before Bernardo Silva’s header made the result safe just before the break.
City have now amassed seven points from three league phase games, following on from a 2-0 victory over Napoli, and a 2-2 draw at AS Monaco.
However, despite the incredible consistency of Haaland – as the Norwegian moved onto 53 career UCL goals – Guardiola had a special note of Lionel Messi-themed praise for captain Silva.
Following the triple summer exit of Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Ilkay Gundogan, Silva was promoted to club captain as the Portugal international heads into the final nine months of his contract at the Etihad Stadium.
His goal in Castellon was a first of 2025/26 season for Silva, and the 31-year-old overtook De Bruyne as the outfield player to start the most UCL games for the club [67].
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“Bernardo is like Mahrez and Messi – so small but really good with his head,” Guardiola said.
“At the end they had one or two chances but we played a fantastic game. This is a good step for us in this tournament.”
City now switch back to Premier League matters, with a trip to Aston Villa on October 26, before their next European tie at home to Borussia Dortmund on November 5.
