In a stellar debut for Manchester City, winger Micah Hamilton found the net, contributing to his team’s victory over Red Star Belgrade and securing a spot in the Champions League last 16 with a flawless record.
At the age of nine, Hamilton, now 20, joined the club and made a significant impact by putting Manchester City in the lead after 19 minutes in a challenging atmosphere in Serbia.
Matheus Nunes delivered a pass down the right wing, allowing Hamilton, who has previously represented England at the under-16 level, to navigate the penalty area skillfully. He created space before unleashing a powerful shot into the top of the net.
In a remarkable evening for City’s academy, 20-year-old Oscar Bobb also celebrated his debut goal with a skillful run through the home defense, ultimately curling in the second goal at the 63rd minute mark.
Red Star managed to pull one back as Hwang In-beom evaded marker Kalvin Phillips, shooting low past Stefan Ortega.
However, Phillips redeemed himself by converting a penalty, earned after the impressive Hamilton was fouled.
Despite Aleksandar Katai heading in a late second for Red Star, the European champions, City, were determined not to be denied. Following in the footsteps of Real Madrid, they secured advancement into the last 16 with a perfect record of six wins from six group matches.
Pep Guardiola’s team becomes the second English club to accomplish this feat, following Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the 2021-22 season.
The draw for the last 16 is scheduled to take place at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, at 11:00 GMT on Monday, December 18.
City is set to encounter one of the teams that have advanced as group runners-up, with Inter Milan, the team they defeated in the previous season’s final, being among the potential opponents.
From ball boy to Champions League goalscorer
City boss Guardiola was delighted with Hamilton’s performance and said: “What a goal and what a game.
“I’m so happy for him. He’s training often with us and we saw his skills one against one. He scored a fantastic goal and made a penalty.”
In the course of the game, video footage from September 2017 surfaced on social media, revealing Guardiola engaged in conversation with Hamilton, who was a 13-year-old ball boy during City’s 5-0 victory against Crystal Palace.
Hamilton said it felt “surreal” to now be scoring for the club and was excited for his future.
“The manager has given us the opportunity in training and in the game. Playing with the best players, you always improve,” said Hamilton.
“He put me on the right wing, something different for me. I’d not really played there. I saw it as a challenge and I took it and I enjoyed every moment.
“It’s definitely just the start and [I want] to kick on from here.”
Youngsters seize chance to shine
With five consecutive wins in their opening group matches, City had already secured the top spot in Group G, affording Guardiola the flexibility to make changes in their penultimate fixture before heading to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup.
In this match, only Mateo Kovacic and Jack Grealish retained their positions from the starting lineup in the 2-1 victory over Luton. Notably, goalkeeper Ederson was rested, and leading goalscorer Erling Haaland remained unavailable due to a foot injury.
The prominent headline was Hamilton’s inclusion, while attacking midfielder Bobb marked his inaugural start in the Champions League. England midfielder Phillips earned a spot in the starting XI for only the second time this season, his previous appearance being in City’s 1-0 loss to Newcastle during the third round of the Carabao Cup in September.
Last week, Guardiola extended an apology to Phillips for not providing more playing time, acknowledging his professionalism despite limited appearances since his £45 million move from Leeds in July 2022.
Phillips responded with a diligent and effective performance in the heart of City’s midfield, contributing a goal from the penalty spot for their third. However, he received a booking in the second half and failed to track Hwang’s run for Red Star’s first goal.
Guardiola’s primary source of satisfaction stemmed from the impressive performances of his younger players, including 18-year-old defensive midfielder Mahamadou Susoho, who made his debut as a second-half substitute.
Hamilton came close to securing his second goal, narrowly missing the target with a curled shot. He also had an opportunity to set up Bobb, but the Norwegian, fully stretched, couldn’t connect with a tantalizing low cross across the face of the goal.
Bobb, determined, managed to double City’s lead with a superb finish after navigating through a number of defenders.
Red Star, European champions in 1991, had previously suffered a 3-1 defeat in the reverse fixture in Manchester in September and were already destined to finish at the bottom of the group.
City’s backup goalkeeper, Ortega, made two outstanding saves in quick succession to thwart Peter Olayinka and Guelor Kanga. However, he conceded twice in the last 14 minutes, bookending Phillips’ penalty.
Guardiola regarded the performance as yet another testament to the strength of the club’s youth development system.
“Congratulations to all at the academy for the last years,” added Guardiola. “How many players came up, how many players we sold who are playing already in the Premier League and Championship, and more?
“It is not easy to give opportunities at this level. It is really good to see them play.
“I’m very pleased for the result, for the performance in general, the effort from everyone, how the seniors helped the young lads.”