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Manchester City has qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League after doubling the 2-2 mark against Olympique Lyonnais in Group F on Tuesday.
The goals of Maxwel Cornet were canceled by Aymeric Laporte and Sergio Aguero to leave City at the top of the group with 10 points. Lyon is second with seven points, two ahead of Shakhtar Donetsk who grabbed a 3-2 victory at Hoffenheim to keep alive their hopes of reaching the last 16.
City was often in the backcountry in France and was struggling to contain the Ivorian striker Cornet who had almost scored after half an hour, but heavy pressure dropped him in front of goal.
He also attempted an acrobatic scissor kick that hit the crossbar just before half-time, but finally got his reward with a certain style, giving the advantage to his team 10 minutes after the break with a beautiful finish of the left foot.
Minutes later, Lyon goalie Anthony Lopes made a good stop to prevent Aguero's head from being close at hand.
However, Pep Guardiola's players quickly equalized when Laporte arrived just after the hour following David Silva's shot.
The game ended until Cornet struck again 10 minutes from the end of the match with a slight inclination after catching the ball in the depth of Memphis Depay.
Once again, City equalized quickly with a header, this time Aguero did not miss the corner of Riyad Mahrez to save a hard-earned point for his team.
Guardiola praised Lyon, the only team to beat City this season, after winning the first 2-1 group match at Etihad Stadium in September, and the only team to have scored two goals against the champion d & # 39; England.
"We are so happy, so happy, this is one of the toughest teams we have ever faced, we have responded so well after 1-0 and 2-1 and are in the final. [stage] and that was our goal, "Guardiola told BT Sport.
"Still in my career when I play against French teams, they are so physical, that's why they are world champions."
The draw would have been enough for both teams to reach the knockout stage without the winner of Shakhtar. Lyon will visit Ukraine next month for a final group showdown.
Hoffenheim supports the group on three points, but can still win third place and a place in the Europa League.
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