Julian Alvarez shone as Manchester City came from behind to begin their Champions League defence with a comfortable 3-1 win over Red Star Belgrade. The treble winners were stunned when the Serbian champions claimed a shock lead against the run of play through Osman Bukari just before half-time in Tuesday’s Group G clash at the Etihad Stadium. Alvarez levelled quickly after the break and was then responsible for City taking the lead as his free-kick was punched into goal by the otherwise excellent Red Star goalkeeper Omri Glazer. Rodri, matchwinner against Inter Milan in last season’s final, then wrapped up a thoroughly deserved victory with a typically composed finish 17 minutes from time. Prior to taking the lead, City had completely dominated the game, with Glazer producing a series of fine saves to thwart the hosts and Erling Haaland hitting the crossbar. The hosts finally started to take their chances in the second period but could have scored plenty more with Kyle Walker having an effort disallowed, Haaland again hitting the woodwork and Alvarez finding the side-netting. Red Star boast plenty of European pedigree as winners of the competition in 1991 but, facing the continent’s present pre-eminent force, they were completely outplayed. City had their first chance after nine minutes when Phil Foden had an effort deflected over and Rodri then jinked into the area before testing Glazer. It was the start of a busy half for the Israeli keeper, who also denied Alvarez twice and kept out a point-blank header from Foden. He could do little about City’s best chance of the opening period as Haaland met a floated Foden cross with a firm header but the bar came to his aid. Haaland had another good chance to put City ahead but turned over from in front of goal. City were made to rue their wasted chances as Red Star, who had looked to counter-attack when possible, grabbed a shock lead on the stroke of half-time. The hosts were punished for playing a high line as Bukari was played through by Mirko Ivanic and slotted coolly past Ederson. It initially looked like an offside flag might spare City but the goal was awarded following a VAR review. City, who brought on Jeremy Doku for Bernardo Silva in the closing moments of the first half, quickly regrouped and equalised two minutes after the interval. Alvarez finished superbly after being played in by Haaland, cleverly dinking over Glazer. Walker thought he had put City ahead moments later only to be ruled offside. City claimed the lead just before the hour as Alvarez curled a free-kick from the left into the box. Glazer came out to punch but failed to make clean contact and the ball flew in after skimming the back his hand. Haaland went close again when he headed against a post before Alvarez lashed just wide. City finally gave the scoreline a more realistic look when Rodri claimed their third. The Spaniard turned Vladimir Lucic outside the area after good work by Foden and strode forward to pass the ball into the far bottom corner. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Eddie Howe feels Newcastle’s point at AC Milan will ‘look better and better’ Erik ten Hag concerned by Manchester United’s mounting injury problems England’s Rachel Daly believes calendar in women’s game needs a re-think

The lawyer for a Colorado police officer who put a handcuffed woman in a parked police car that was hit by a freight train says she didn't know the car was on the tracks

Getafe head coach Jose Bordalas has defended the club’s decision to hand Mason Greenwood a way back into football. The 21-year-old joined the LaLiga side on loan from Manchester United, who suspended him in January 2022 over allegations relating to a young woman after images and videos were posted online, on transfer deadline day. Greenwood faced charges including attempted rape and assault, but the Crown Prosecution Service announced in February that the case had been discontinued. Asked about the decision to sign the one-cap England international after his side’s 2-1 league defeat at Real Madrid on Saturday, Bordalas told a press conference: “It is a very delicate situation to trivialise that issue. “Everyone knows what happened and appropriate measures were taken. Everyone knows how it ended, with a non-convictory sentence. “He is a footballer of a very high level and arrives at Getafe with enormous enthusiasm.” Reports suggested United might try to reintegrate Greenwood into the squad at Old Trafford after concluding an internal investigation, but they revealed last week he would be leaving the club by mutual agreement after a public outcry. Asked if signing Greenwood, who was not involved in the matchday squad at the Bernabeu, might prompt an unfavourable reaction, Bordalas added: “I can only speak at a footballing level. “We all know the potential he has. He is a very young boy and we hope that he adapts to a very different League. Surely he wants to recover his professional status and Getafe can help him in that sense.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

The United States are fighting back against a European Ryder Cup tide as the holders lead in two of four Saturday...

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON Senator Ed Markey on Wednesday said he is proposing additional taxes on private jet

There's no sign of "Messi mania" abating anytime soon.

This comes after Michael Strahan playfully sat on Robin Roberts' lap after interrupting her on live TV

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 23, 2023--

'MBFFL' star Whitney Way Thore served as an assistant to her father, Glenn Thore, during a photoshoot but ended up taking over the shoot

Harry Kane has opted to leave Tottenham in search of silverware with Bayern Munich, likely forgoing the chance to...

Tristan Tate posted images of four actors he feels he has a striking resemblance to

WASHINGTON A man who crashed a rented box truck into security barriers near the White House faces multiple