Erling Haaland scored a decisive late goal to send Manchester City past RB Leipzig 3-2 in a breathless Champions League encounter at the Leipzig Stadium on Wednesday.

Haaland's 78th-minute tap-in, guided home from Elliot Anderson's low cross, was his 13th goal in nine career appearances against the Bundesliga club — more than he has managed against any other opponent. The victory also ended City's brief losing run following their defeat to Brighton at the weekend.

A gift and a comeback

Leipzig dominated large portions of the first half, with Christoph Baumgartner and Antonio Nusa both going close, yet it was the hosts who gifted City the opening goal. In the 37th minute, Castello Lukeba turned the ball comically into his own net under little pressure, handing the visitors an undeserved lead.

Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a fine stop to deny Baumgartner early in the second half, but moments later the Man City goalkeeper was beaten at his near post. Ridle Baku, arriving from the right-back position, tucked in a sharp finish from a tight angle when a cut-back seemed the obvious option, drawing Leipzig level in the 49th minute.

Goals galore in a frantic spell

The match erupted into life from that moment. Haaland, who had managed just three touches in the entire first half, was denied with his first meaningful chance of the game before Enzo Fernandez restored City's advantage. The midfielder arrived in the box with perfect timing to power a header from Iliman Ndiaye's cross into the net in the 58th minute.

Leipzig refused to be broken, however. Nusa fired a low effort across Donnarumma into the bottom right corner from inside the box in the 61st minute, levelling for a second time and earning himself a well-deserved goal.

City's response was their sharpest of the night. The introduction of Jeremy Doku injected energy into their attack, and Anderson's composure in the build-up allowed Haaland to tap home from close range in the 78th minute — a goal the Norwegian simply could not miss.

Woodwork rattles at both ends

Even after Haaland's winner, the drama refused to subside. Leipzig's David Raum and City's Rayan Cherki both struck the woodwork in a frantic finale, leaving supporters breathless until the final whistle.

Manchester City move back to winning ways in the Champions League, while RB Leipzig are left to reflect on another near-miss against one of Europe's elite sides.