Foden Hat-Trick Fires Manchester City to 5-1 Champions League Victory.

Phil Foden scored three goals as Manchester City recorded a commanding 5-1 victory over AEK Athens, boosting their Champions League campaign.

Manchester City returned to winning form in Europe with an emphatic victory over Greek champions AEK Athens at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

England international Phil Foden was the star of the evening, scoring a hat-trick to lead City’s attacking display and underline his importance to the team.

Elliot Anderson and Rayan Cherki also scored as the hosts established control of the encounter and secured three valuable points.

AEK Athens briefly threatened a comeback early in the second half when Stavros Palios reduced the deficit to 2-1. However, City responded strongly and extended their advantage to put the result beyond doubt.

Manager Pep Guardiola rested striker Erling Haaland for the match, but City’s attacking depth proved sufficient to overcome the Greek side comfortably.

The result offered a timely boost for City as they seek to establish themselves among the leading contenders in this season’s Champions League.

Foden’s performance was particularly encouraging, with the midfielder demonstrating his ability to influence matches through intelligent movement, precise finishing and his understanding of City’s attacking system.

For AEK Athens, the defeat highlighted the challenge of competing against one of Europe’s most experienced sides, particularly when City find their rhythm in the final third.

City will now look to carry the confidence from the victory into their next domestic and European assignments.

Source: RTÉ Sport, October 20, 2026.