Phil Foden scored a hat-trick as Manchester City beat AEK Athens 5-1 in a Champions League league-phase match at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday 20 October 2026. Erling Haaland was rested and did not come on, and Foden was named Player of the Match.
Elliot Anderson put City ahead in the 12th minute, scoring his first goal for the club from the rebound after an Enzo Fernández free-kick hit the bar. Foden then struck in the 34th, 65th and 76th minutes, with Rayan Cherki adding another in the 57th.
Rico Lewis set up Foden's first two goals, while the third came from a pass by Ryan McAidoo. City had 10 efforts on goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli's goal in the first half, and Allan hit the crossbar. AEK had no shot on target until Stavros Pilios scored in the 52nd minute.
Haaland was rested after an injury scare, and 17-year-old Floyd Samba led the line in his place. Three City academy players made their European debuts, according to head coach Enzo Maresca, who also said Josko Gvardiol had a small back problem in the warm-up but was able to play.
Maresca was pleased with Foden's display. "It's good news for me because he's doing well, and this is what we want for many reasons," the City head coach said. He added: "I need that option, so I'm happy for him, but also for the team because we have one more weapon that we can use."
Foden himself was brief after the match. "I enjoyed that a lot!" the City forward said. It was his fourth career hat-trick in all competitions and his first since 2024, and he is the latest player to score a hat-trick in this season's Champions League, on Matchday 3.
The performance followed a long wait for a goal. Foden had gone 10 months without scoring before netting four in two games, including one against Ipswich at the weekend. He missed out on England's World Cup squad this summer after struggling for form, and his season began badly with a sending off in last month's Manchester derby.
The win was City's 10th in 12 matches in all competitions this season, with two defeats. Among sides in Europe's big-five leagues, only Barcelona have won more, with 11. It was City's second victory in the Champions League campaign, and AEK stay on three points, three behind City.
