KIEV, Ukraine — Sergio Aguero scored one goal and helped create another as Manchester City powered to a 3-1 first-leg win over Dynamo Kyiv in the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday.
Facing a Ukrainian team which had not played competitively since December, Aguero took full advantage of poor Dynamo defending at a corner to score his 15th-minute opener with a simple finish after being left unmarked.
MORE ON THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Barca wins, barely breaks a sweat || Video: Juventus rallies, Barca brilliant in second gear || Sportsnet panel’s picks and predictions || PSV set to crash into Atletico Madrid fortress || Arsenal’s Sanchez a man of brilliant moments || Photo gallery: 10 to watch in Champions League || Photo gallery: Round of 16 matchups || Analytics: Europa League vs. Champions League
The Argentine, who has now scored eight goals in City’s last nine games, helped to set up City’s second, feeding Raheem Sterling with a backheel on the edge of the box. Sterling then crossed low for David Silva to score at the far post just before halftime.
Dynamo shook off some of the rust in the second half and struck back in the 59th minute through Vitaly Buyalskiy, whose shot from 20 yards (18 metres) deflected in off Nicolas Otamendi. That marked the 10th Champions League game in a row in which City has conceded at least one goal.
Yaya Toure, who had earlier set up Aguero with a header for the opener, added City’s third with a curling shot in the 90th minute.
The win ends a three-game losing run for City in all competitions and comes after coach Manuel Pellegrini rested star players for a 5-1 loss to Chelsea in the FA Cup on Sunday, opting to focus instead on City’s push to reach a first Champions League quarterfinal.
City had chances to leave Kyiv with even more away goals ahead of the second leg on March 15, with one of the best opportunities coming when Toure headed narrowly wide from close range in the 82nd minute.
The game had been due to be played in an empty stadium as part of Dynamo’s punishment from UEFA for racist attacks on black fans at the group stage game against Chelsea in October.
However, UEFA reduced the sanction, allowing fans into the Olimpiyskiy stadium, which was far from full. No major incidents of disorder appeared to occur in the stadium.
In Wednesday’s other game, 10-man PSV Eindhoven held on for a 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid.
