Seventeen-year-old Rico Luiz scored on his Manchester City debut as City beat Sevilla in their final Champions League group match.
Julian Alvarez filled the gap left by Erling Haaland with a goal and two assists as Manchester City beat Sevilla 3-1 on Wednesday.
The English champions were without Haaland due to a leg injury and with the champions already top of Group G, Guardiola took the opportunity to leave Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva and João Cancelo on the bench.
A much-disturbed City side lost at half-time to Rafa Mir’s impressive header.
But 17-year-old Rico Lewis equalized on his debut early in the second half and De Bruyne’s superb cross gave Alvarez his fourth goal for City.
The Argentine then set up Riyad Mahrez to return after seven minutes.
The win leaves City five points clear of Borussia Dortmund in the group, while Sevilla are third in the Europa League.
“One of the reasons why it’s a great night is because of Julian,” Guardiola said. “He had two assists and one goal.
“We know how good he is and what his qualities are. He was patient today.”
Haaland was unstoppable when the teams met in September, City winning 4-0.
Without the Norwegian, Guardiola’s side haven’t had the same firepower, with just four goals scored in their last five games.
The Premier League champions dominated possession but struggled to make the ball count before the break.
Ilkay Gundogan fired over from close range after a well-worked one-two with Phil Foden.
Sevilla have had a nightmare season so far as they are in the relegation zone of LaLiga.
Jorge Sampaoli’s men also finished third in the group before kick-off, but showed strong spirit as early as the 45th minute at the Etihad.
Mir had already forced Stefano Ortega to attack from the right before the Spanish striker opened the scoring.
Isco’s deep corner was denied by Mir as he nodded into the far corner.
On the stroke of half-time, Guardiola shook things up when Rodri took on Jack Grealish.
The Spain international restored order at City after the more dangerous Foden was brought down.
However, the unlikely hero was able to equalize.
Prior to his debut, Lewis had played just 68 minutes in four games for City’s first team.
The right-back kept his cool and finished powerfully past Bono after Alvarez’s clever cross.
De Bruyne came on for the final 20 minutes and needed just three to make a significant contribution.
The Belgian played a pass behind the Sevilla defense and Álvarez rounded Bono and fired high into the unguarded net.
Alvarez then showed another side of his game when he won the ball in Sevilla’s midfield and unselfishly lined up for Mahrez to fire into the top corner.
FC Copenhagen scored their first Champions League goal of the season in their final Group G game on Wednesday, drawing 1-1 with already qualified Borussia Dortmund.
The Danes finished last the previous day, and although the match lacked sporting significance, the hosts started strongly.
They forced Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel into a brilliant save to deny teenager Rooney Bardge in the 10th minute.
Despite several players being rested, Dortmund responded with Thorgan Hazard’s shot at the far post in the 23rd minute.
Copenhagen put the Germans on the back foot with 12 shots in the first half before Haakon Haraldsson equalized in the 41st minute, their first of the group stage.
Dortmund improved after the break and substitute Yusuf Mukoko hit the post in the 64th minute.
