Without Haaland, Man City beats K-League Stars with 3 quick goals

Scoring three goals in just 14 minutes of the first half, Man City defeated K-League Stars 3-1 to secure their first win in the summer 2026 friendly series.

Manchester City had a positive performance as they overcame the K-League All-Star team with a 3-1 scoreline in a pre-season friendly in South Korea. All four goals came in the first half, before substitutions slowed the pace of the match after the break.

In the 9th minute, Man City found the opening goal. Tijjani Reijnders received the ball on the right flank, skillfully beat two defenders, and delivered a cross into the penalty area. Divin Mubama couldn't get a touch, but the ensuing scramble allowed Rayan Ait-Nouri to finish with his right foot, putting the English side ahead.

Man City's lead lasted only three minutes. From a combination play by K-League Stars, Kim Dae-won fired a shot from the edge of the box. The ball went through Man City's defense and beat Gianluigi Donnarumma at the near post, leveling the match.

After conceding, the team of coach Enzo Maresca quickly regained control. In the 20th minute, Rico Lewis passed the ball to Antoine Semenyo inside the penalty area. The Ghanaian's backheel inadvertently sent the ball to Reijnders, who then slotted it precisely into the bottom corner to make it 2-1.

Just three minutes later, Man City punished the opponent's defense again. Mateo Kovacic started the attack, Semenyo dribbled into the center and shot, forcing goalkeeper Song Bum-keun to parry. Mubama was well-positioned to tap in the rebound for the third goal.

In the remaining minutes of the first half, Man City continued to create several notable chances. Phil Foden nearly scored from Ait-Nouri's pass, while Mubama missed a chance to complete his brace. K-League Stars also had a dangerous moment, but Rico Lewis timely blocked Iago's header.

The second half began with end-to-end action. Foden, Reijnders, and Ait-Nouri repeatedly tested the opposing goalkeeper, while Kim Ju-chan hit the post following a swift counterattack.

Coach Enzo Maresca then made a complete substitution, which caused the match to lose its high tempo. Jeremy Monga once put the ball in the net, but the goal was disallowed for a handball. Omar Marmoush also had two clear chances, but both were saved by goalkeeper Gu Sung-yun.

The 3-1 victory helped Man City regain the winning feeling after drawing 1-1 with Inter Milan and then losing on penalties. The Etihad side will face Atletico Madrid on August 9, before taking on Arsenal in the Community Shield match.