Phil Foden highlighted his return to form by scoring a hat-trick to propel Manchester City to a 5-1 victory over AEK Athens in the Champions League on Tuesday. The 26-year-old playmaker, who previously acknowledged struggling with mental health issues, ended a 10-month goal drought in Saturday’s victory against Ipswich and followed up with an extraordinary performance at the Etihad Stadium.
Foden had suffered a significant dip in form over the last two seasons, resulting in his exclusion from England’s World Cup squad earlier this year. Having now ended a Champions League dry spell that stretched back to November 2025, his latest treble marks his first hat-trick in over two years as he aims to sustain a full revival.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca made eight changes from the squad that beat Ipswich, opting to rest Erling Haaland on the bench after the Norwegian striker suffered a minor foot injury. Seventeen-year-old academy graduate Floyd Samba was handed a start on the flank, showing promising flashes of skill throughout the contest. With 17-year-old academy graduate Floyd Samba showing flashes of his talent on the flanks, maresca made eight changes from the Ipswich game.
City took the lead after just 12 minutes when Elliot Anderson seized on a rebound off the crossbar from Enzo Fernandez’s free-kick, slotting home from 10 yards to mark his first goal for the club since arriving from Nottingham Forest in the close season. Foden doubled the lead in the 34th minute, exchanging slick passes with Rico Lewis before driving a shot into the top roof of the net from a narrow angle. Enzo Fernadez’s free-kick cannoned down off the bar and Anderson reacted quicker than the flat-footed AEK defence as the midfielder slotted into the empty net from 10 yards.
The Premier League leaders temporarily lost focus early in the second half, allowing Stavros Pilios to pull one back for AEK Athens in the 52nd minute with the Greek side’s first shot on target. However, City quickly restored their comfortable margin just five minutes later when Rayan Cherki collected a pass from Foden, executed a skillful turn, and finished calmly. Rayan Cherki bagged City’s third goal in typically flamboyant fashion and Foden struck twice more to complete his treble. Picked out by Foden on the edge of the area, Cherki unfurled a balletic turn that took him into space for a fine finish in keeping with his graceful first touch.
Foden added his second of the night in the 65th minute, controlled a knocked-down long ball from Lewis via Cherki, and caressed an 18-yard strike into the top corner. He completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute by making a perfectly-timed run to tap home a cross from substitute Ryan McAidoo.
The resounding result marks Manchester City’s second victory in the Champions League group stage, rebounding from last week’s setback against holders Paris Saint-Germain following an opening win over Porto. Maresca’s side has now won 10 of their 11 fixtures across all competitions this season.
Elsewhere in Tuesday’s Champions League action, reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain secured a late 4-2 victory against Barcelona at the Parc des Princes, courtesy of decisive late strikes from Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz. PSG maintained their top position in the table with three wins from three, though they suffered injury scares to Ousmane Dembele, Marquinhos, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Meanwhile, Liverpool secured a dramatic comeback win against Villarreal to keep pace in the competition, while Italian sides Roma and Napoli also recorded crucial victories on a high-scoring European night.
