Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick after missing two penalties as Manchester City won 5-0 at Steaua Bucharest in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier on Tuesday.
With Joe Hart again watching from the bench, the striker saw a spot-kick saved and blazed another over the bar either side of David Silva’s 13th-minute opener.
But Aguero made amends by scoring just before the interval and then twice more in the second half after Nolito had netted his first City goal in a one-sided contest.
The visitors could have won by a greater margin but still look assured of a place in the group stage even before the second leg at the Etihad next Wednesday.
Whether Hart is still at City for the return leg remains to be seen, having again been left on the bench by Pep Guardiola in favour of Willy Cabellero.
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