Champions League: Erling Haaland's late goal secures a 2-1 win for Manchester City

The victory has now sealed a place for the side at the top of Champions League Group G. 

However, Pep Guardiola was unhappy with their pace. A potential Champions League defeat was in line due to Jude Bellingham's early second-half header. 

A strong effort from John Stones levelled the score, and Haaland later scored a measured volley from Joao Cancelo's cross. Despite tasting victory in their second Champions League match of the new season, the team were below par in terms of performance.

Stones' goal in the 80th minute was City's first shot on target. Moreover, Bellingham proved to be the star player of Dortmund. The 19-year-old England international showed his level early on, leaving the Premier League champions struggling for an equaliser.

Jack Grealish's shots were blocked, and Kevin De Bruyne witnessed crosses being cleared. The second half was replete with scoring opportunities, but most came for Dortmund. 

Marco Reus almost converted with a counter-attack and assisted as Bellingham sent the ball shooting past Ederson. City's squad underwent four changes after their last match against Sevilla in the competition. 

Nathan Ake, Ilkay Gundogan, John Stones, and Riyad Mahrez came in, while Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Sergio Gomez, and Phil Foden were benched.

The game improved when Guardiola deployed his substitutes - Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva. The quality of their performance went up, and Haaland seemed more present.

Erling Haaland: "In the end, we showed what we are," the Manchester City striker said of his side's mediocre performance. "This is what we are. This is the way we have to play. I am proud of the last 25 minutes.

On his goal: "It was a beautiful cross [from Joao Cancelo]," he said. "It's a significant win.

On playing against his former club: "It's nice to see everyone. They did not stop me; I scored a goal. They played well. They were good. I was pretty sure I was going to be chased the whole game.

I was pretty sure I would be followed throughout the game because Edin [Dortmund coach Terzic] knows me very well. Dortmund was really good today. Three points are what counts.

Manchester City is under pressure after being held to draws by Newcastle and Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa.