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Report as Julian Alvarez claims two goals in Manchester City's 3-1 victory over Red Star Belgrade in their first Champions League group stage game; Osman Bukari gives visitors shock lead but holders rally in the second half with Rodri completing comeback win.

Champions League holders Manchester City made a winning start to the defence of their title as Julian Alvarez scored twice to spearhead a second-half comeback which defeated Red Star Belgrade 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

Red Star, Serbian champions for the past six years, have fine European pedigree having won the elite competition in 1991, and they took a shock lead on the stroke of half-time when Osman Bukari's strike was allowed to stand after a VAR review for offside (45).

But Pep Guardiola's side - who recorded 22 shots during a one-sided first half - rallied to ensure there would be no upset as Alvarez combined with Erling Haaland to round Omri Glazer and score within two minutes of the restart.

The Argentine would celebrate a second when Glazer, whose heroics had kept Red Star level, inexplicably punched the Argentine's curling free-kick into his net (60).

Rodri, the matchwinner against Inter Milan in June's final, produced a trademark finish (73) to seal the victory as City extended their unbeaten run at home in the Champions League to 27 matches.

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