Sergio Aguero misses two penalties in one match , scores hat-trick as Manchester City smash Steaua Bucharest

Sergio Aguero missed two penalties but also scored a hat-trick as Manchester City hammered Steaua Bucharest 5-0 in their Champions League play-off first-leg in Romania.

It means Pep Guardiola’s side are virtually guaranteed a spot in this season’s group stages barring a disaster in the second-leg at the Etihad Stadium next Wednesday.

David Silva opened the scoring on the night after 13 minutes and Aguero doubled the advantage just before half-time.

The Argentine had previously been denied from the spot-kick twice after his first attempt was saved by goalkeeper Florin Nita with just eight minutes on the clock and he fired a second effort over the bar a short while later.

It mattered little however as City further increased their lead four minutes after the break when Nolito grabbed his first goal for his new club following good work by Kevin De Bruyne.

Fittingly, Aguero would have the final say as he completed the rout and his hat-trick a minute before the full-time whistle with a well-taken goal.

Looking good, City. It is early days under Pep Guardiola’s reign but Manchester City certainly raised a few eyebrows with such a performance. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager promised free-flowing and attacking football during a pre-match interview and his team firmly delivered. In the end Steaua were fortunate the scoreline was only 5-0.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Sergio Aguero (Manchester City): It looked like it was going to be one of those nights for the 28-year-old after somehow missing two penalties but only the best players respond to adversity in such fashion, netting a hat-trick and claiming the match ball.