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Erling Haaland scored a brace as Manchester City returned after a heated half-time tunnel confrontation to begin their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 victory away to Porto.

Tensions spilled over after a late first-half clash between Marc Guehi and Porto’s Gabri Veiga at the Estadio do Dragao, with security personnel intervening as players and officials made their way down the tunnel.

Haaland put the off-field drama behind him to head City in front in the 47th minute, but the visitors then had to withstand long periods of pressure in the second half of a demanding league-phase contest played largely in heavy rain.

Manchester City’s win over Porto came in a stormy and ill-tempered contest.

Porto responded strongly and fashioned several clear openings, but Haaland eventually settled City’s nerves by poking in his second goal in stoppage time.

There was another confrontation involving players shortly before the final whistle, which came as a major relief to the visiting side and confirmed a winning start in the competition under Enzo Maresca.

The match took time to get going, with City not posing a real threat until the 15th minute, when Phil Foden linked up with Antoine Semenyo and delivered a cross for Haaland. Porto captain Diogo Costa made the first of a number of impressive saves to deny the Norwegian’s powerful header.

Costa was called into action again soon afterwards to stop Foden’s low effort, and then produced an excellent double save to keep out a Haaland volley and the rebound from Rayan Cherki.

As City increased the tempo, Porto attempted to disrupt the rhythm, and the game grew scrappy with several stoppages towards the end of the first half.

Josko Gvardiol was booked after a coming-together with William Gomes, and controversy followed when Guehi caught Veiga with his arm while jumping for a header. Players argued among themselves and with the referee, who chose not to book the City defender, while Veiga received treatment.

Tempers flared in Portugal.

Emotions had still not settled by the time the half-time whistle went, and security staff reportedly had to step in to stop scuffles as the players headed towards the dressing rooms.

After the niggly finish to the opening half, the game opened up dramatically once Haaland headed City in front early in the second period.

The move began with Cherki keeping the ball alive on the right before finding Enzo Fernandez, who floated in a cross for the striker. This time Costa had no chance as Haaland directed his header in off the post.

Erling Haaland celebrated his first goal with his Manchester City team-mates.

Porto reacted well, with Pepe heading wide, although there was another delay as he claimed Donnarumma had fouled him in the process and the home side appealed for a penalty.

The appeal was rejected, but Porto threatened again when Alberto Costa headed a corner across the face of goal, and the crowd briefly thought the equaliser had arrived when Alan Varela’s strike flashed narrowly wide.

City then lifted themselves for a strong finish, and Haaland made certain of the result when he turned home Rayan Ait-Nouri’s cutback.

Tempers rose once more after a poor challenge from Pablo Rosario on Haaland, and Porto coach Francesco Farioli was also booked, but City had done enough to complete the job.