Another focus match was staged in the third round of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League. Manchester City, who went to play away, relied on goals from Haaland and Bernardo Silva and finally defeated Villarreal 2-0.

At the start of the match, Savio won possession and passed the ball to the goal. Doku volleyed the ball, but it was saved by Villarreal goalkeeper Junior. In the 4th minute, Manchester City organized an attack from the left, and Haaland jumped up to head the ball, but it went wide.

In the 7th minute, Villarreal midfielder Comesana passed the ball into the penalty area, but when Mikautadze tried to get the ball, it was cleared by Manchester City defender Nunes. In the 17th minute, Rico Lewis received Savio's through ball and crossed it to the goal, and Haaland volleyed it in to help Manchester City take the lead 1-0.

In the 28th minute, Villarreal tried to counterattack. Papu Gaye got the ball and broke through to the penalty area and shot from a distance, but the ball missed the post. In the 31st minute, Haaland organized the attack with a header, but when Doku passed the ball back to the front of the goal, the ball was cleared by the opponent.

In the 40th minute, Savio made a lob pass from the right, and Bernardo Silva took advantage of the momentum to shoot the ball into the goal, helping Manchester City extend their lead to 2-0.

In the 56th minute of the second half, Manchester City midfielder Nico González was injured and subsequently replaced by Kovacic. In the 64th minute, Savio received a pass from a teammate, broke through the defense, and shot into the penalty area, but his shot was blocked. In the 65th minute, Villarreal goalkeeper Junior was knocked down by Manchester City defender Dias as he was about to pass the ball, and the referee showed Dias a yellow card for this.

In the 71st minute, Villarreal organized an attack. Papu Gay received the ball and shot from near the top of the penalty area. Manchester City goalkeeper Donnarumma immediately fell to the ground to block the ball. In the 77th minute, Nicolas Pepe received a cross from his teammate and shot, but the ball went directly over the goal.

In the 80th minute, Kovacic made a long pass, Haaland took the ball and shot, but the angle was too straight and the ball was caught by Villarreal goalkeeper Junior. In the 88th minute, Villarreal attacked with a corner kick, Oluwaseyi headed the ball, but the ball hit the post.

In the end, Manchester City beat Villarreal 2-0 away.