The Argentine struck two quick-fire goals to get Pep Guardiola's side back on the path to a 3-1 victory after Osman Bukari's shock opening goal
When Erling Haaland is having an off day, Manchester City fans can thank their lucky stars for Julian Alvarez, who guided the Champions League holders towards a 3-1 win over Red Star Belgrade after an almighty scare on the opening night of their European title defence.
Despite utterly dominating Red Star in a first half in which Haaland hit the crossbar and missed two more opportunities, the visitors took a shock lead right before half-time with a goal from out of nowhere by Osman Bukari, initially called offside then awarded by VAR.
City were 45 minutes from becoming only the second team in Champions League history to lose their first game as competition holders, but their fears were quickly alleviated by a beautiful goal by Alvarez, who steered a Haaland pass into the net with the lightest of touches.
Alvarez then put City in front with a free-kick which Red Star 'keeper Omri Glazer really should have kept out, before Rodri, the hero of the Champions League final in Istanbul, fittingly had the final say with a lovely piece of skill and curling finish.
GOAL rates Man City's players from the Etihad Stadium…
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Ederson (6/10):
Had little to do overall but was quick to come out of his area in the second half and thwart a Red Star break, even attempting a backheel in the middle of the pitch.
Kyle Walker (7/10):
Alert, physically dominant and hugely influential. Tried to score a couple of times and put the ball in the net but was offside. Really justifying his bumper new contract.
Ruben Dias (5/10):
Played Bukari onside for Red Star's shock goal. Other than that he was as solid as usual, using his strength to his advantage.
Nathan Ake (6/10):
Dominant in defence and contributed his fair bit in attack.
Sergio Gomez (4/10):
Got forward a lot but rarely contributed much. Kept misplacing passes or making the wrong decision. Taken off before the hour-mark.
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Bernardo Silva (5/10):
Lacked a bit of spark before being replaced late in the first half with an injury problem.
Rodri (8/10):
Outstanding from start to finish, even after picking up an early yellow card. Threatened to score for most of the game and finally did so with a classy dribble past a defender and exquisite finish.
Matheus Nunes (6/10):
A solid full debut aside from the fact he missed the header which led to Red Star's lightning strike. Otherwise slotted straight into Guardiola's system, although could have shown a bit more ambition in an attacking sense.
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Phil Foden (8/10):
Energetic, reactive and instinctive. Kept feeding Alvarez and Haaland and was always on hand to win the ball back.
Erling Haaland (6/10):
His finishing was very disappointing but he compensated with a marvellous assist for Alvarez's first goal.
Julian Alvarez (9/10):
Quickly turned the game on its head. His first goal was a thing of beauty, a wonderfully subtle finish after a dream pass from Haaland. His second had a bit of luck to it but he took a chance by going straight for goal and testing the weak Glazer. Could have had a hat-trick.
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Jeremy Doku (6/10):
Gave City some extra thrust and a sense of unpredictability.
Manuel Akanji (6/10):
Gave his side extra balance after replacing the erratic Gomez.
Oscar Bobb (N/A):
Got his Champions League debut by coming on in the 84th minute. Looked exciting if raw.
Kalvin Phillips (N/A):
Only came on in the 84th minute.
Rico Lewis (N/A):
Only came on in the 84th minute.
Pep Guardiola (7/10):
Gave chances to Gomez and a full debut to Nunes and very reactive with his substitutes.