Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Manchester City’s Rico Lewis after the starlet created history in the 3-1 Champions League win over Sevilla at The Etihad.
The highly-rated 17-year-old scored on his full City debut as the Blues came from behind to beat Sevilla in their final Champions League group game.
City were trailing to a first-half header from former Wolves and Nottingham Forest striker Rafa Mir when Lewis latched on to Julian Alvarez’s pass seven minutes after the break and drove a powerful effort past Yassine Bounou.
It was a moment the starlet will remember for the rest of his life. And at 17 years and 346 days, he becomes City’s youngest Champions League goalscorer.
City then turned to the bench in the search for a winner and it was provided courtesy of a superb curling pass from substitute Kevin de Bruyne, which went around the back of the Sevilla defence and sent Alvarez running clear.
Riyad Mahrez then wrapped up the scoring seven minutes from time.
Speaking after the game, Guardiola told BT Sport: “We struggled [in the first half].
“In the first half the guys tried. Second half was better, really good goals. I’m happy for everyone.
“In the second half we put more people close to the box. In the first half they were a little bit wider.”
On Lewis’ goal and his performance on his debut, Guardiola added: “What a goal. He’s a fantastic player, so intelligent. He understands everything. He made a fantastic goal and played really well.”
