Haaland finds the net as Manchester City edge past Real Madrid, while Arsenal keep their perfect run intact.

PARIS, Dec 11 — Erling Haaland struck his 34th goal of the season for club and country to help Manchester City earn a 2-1 win over Real Madrid yesterday, while Arsenal extended their flawless group-stage run with a 3-0 victory over Club Brugge.

The defeat marked Real’s second straight loss at home, following their 2-0 setback to Celta Vigo, and intensified pressure on coach Xabi Alonso, whose side have managed just two wins in their last eight matches across all competitions.

For Haaland, it was his 21st goal in 21 appearances for City this season and his 51st in 50 Champions League starts. Nico O’Reilly also registered his first goal in the competition.

“(The) game was a bit chaotic, we couldn’t really control it. We get the win in the end, super happy,” Haaland told TNT Sports, stressing the importance of responding after City’s home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.

“Two more games left. We need to finish strong and hopefully we can be in the first eight because then we’re through.”

Rodrygo opened the scoring for Real shortly before the half-hour mark, rifling a shot across Gianluigi Donnarumma into the far corner.

But City equalised seven minutes later when academy graduate O’Reilly reacted quickest to poke home from close range after Thibaut Courtois parried Josko Gvardiol’s header.

Haaland put City ahead from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute after VAR ruled that Antonio Rudiger had hauled the striker down to stop him from meeting a cross.

Courtois then produced a vital double save to deny Haaland and Rayan Cherki just before half-time, helping to keep Real within reach.

The second half saw chances at both ends. Jude Bellingham chipped over with only Donnarumma to beat, and Courtois tipped away Jeremy Doku’s effort.

Vinicius Junior volleyed over late on, while substitute Endrick grazed the top of the bar with a header as Real pushed for an equaliser.

“It’s a difficult moment for us and for (Alonso) as well. Things aren’t going well... we wanted to show people we’re together with the coach,” Rodrygo said, after embracing the under-fire manager on the touchline.

Arsenal close in on the last 16

Noni Madueke scored twice as Arsenal claimed their sixth straight Champions League win of the season, moving them to the brink of the last 16.

The Premier League leaders now have 18 points — already more than enough to qualify for the top eight last season — with two matches still remaining.

“We’re fighting on all fronts. I feel like we can win this competition and win the league, that has to be the aim,” Madueke told TNT Sports.

Madueke’s goals came in contrasting fashion: the first a brilliant solo effort capped by a thunderous long-range strike, the second a simple finish set up by Martin Zubimendi.

Brugge had applied heavy pressure in the first half but collapsed after Arsenal’s second goal. Gabriel Martinelli added a third, curling the ball beyond the keeper from outside the box.

Elsewhere, defending champions Paris Saint-Germain were held to a 0-0 draw at Athletic Bilbao but remained third overall behind Arsenal and Bayern Munich, with City in fourth.

Juventus beat Pafos 2-0 thanks to goals from Weston McKennie and Jonathan David, while Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle played out a 2-2 draw, as did Borussia Dortmund and Bodo/Glimt.

Benfica, coached by Jose Mourinho, defeated Antonio Conte’s Napoli 2-0 through goals from Richard Rios and Leandro Barreiro.

Ajax scored three late goals to secure a 4-2 comeback win at Qarabag, with Oscar Gloukh netting twice to lift them off the bottom of the table and keep their play-off hopes alive.

Villarreal, meanwhile, dropped to last place after a 3-2 home loss to FC Copenhagen. — AFP