The first round of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League ushered in another focus battle. Manchester City defeated the defending Serie A champion Napoli 2-0 with goals contributed by Haaland and Doku .

Three minutes into the match, Manchester City took the initiative. Dias received the ball and fired a long shot from outside the penalty area, but the ball went wide. In the eighth minute, Reinders received a pass from a teammate and fired a long shot, but Napoli goalkeeper Savic immediately jumped to block the ball. In the 10th minute, Foden took a corner kick, and Doku took the ball and shot, but it was blocked by the opponent.

In the 18th minute, Napoli took a corner kick, and Pokma leaped to head the ball, but it was blocked by Manchester City goalkeeper Donnarumma. In the 20th minute, Reinders sent a through ball, and Haaland was brought down by Di Lorenzo as he stepped forward to meet it. After VAR intervention, Di Lorenzo was shown a red card, and Napoli had to continue with 10 players.

In the 24th minute, Manchester City secured a free kick. Reinders took a direct shot, but the ball hit the wall and went wide. In the 25th minute, Reinders passed the ball to Haaland, who headed it in, but it went over the post. In the 31st minute, Foden received the ball near the top of the penalty area and fired a long shot, but Napoli goalkeeper Savic fell to the ground to grab the ball.

In the 41st minute, Manchester City's passing game saw Nico O'Reilly's header blocked by Napoli goalkeeper Savic, followed by a header from Gvardiol. In the 43rd minute, Rodri passed the ball to Gvardiol, who shot wide. In first-half stoppage time, Manchester City continued their attack, with Reinders' low shot being saved by Savic.

In the 49th minute of the second half, Doku crossed into the box, Foden took a few steps and then shot low, but the ball went wide. In the 56th minute, Foden lobbed a pass into the box, and Haaland headed it home, giving Manchester City a 1-0 lead over Napoli. In the 60th minute, Manchester City replaced Rodri with Nico González.

In the 65th minute, Reinders passed the ball, Doku received it and then passed the defense and shot low to score, helping Manchester City extend their lead to 2-0.

In the following time, both sides continued to make substitutions, but the score remained unchanged. In the end, Manchester City defeated Napoli 2-0 and successfully got off to a good start.