After Osman Bukari gave the visitors an unexpected lead at Etihad Stadium in the Group G match, Pep Guardiola's team rallied with an Alvarez goal in the second half.
Manchester City's Champions League title defence got off to a victorious start on Tuesday with a 3-1 victory over Red Star Belgrade thanks to two goals from Julian Alvarez.
After Osman Bukari gave the visitors an unexpected lead at Etihad Stadium in the Group G match, the Argentine forward inspired a comeback by Pep Guardiola's club.
Rodri, whose goal against Inter Milan in the season-ending final gave City their first-ever title as European champions, added a third late in the game.
City wants to become just the second club in the history of the Champions League to successfully defend the championship. Real Madrid, which won three consecutive championships from 2016 to 2018, is the only team to do so.
After making two finals in the previous three seasons, City is predicted to perform well in the competition this year as well.
But when it fell down to Bukari's goal against the flow of play, it was reminded of the dangers that await in the top division of European football.
Omri Glazer, the custodian for Belgrade, had to make several saves due to City's dominance in the first half, during which time they also struck the woodwork.
As the home team regularly broke through Belgrade's defence, Rodri, Alvarez, Nathan Ake, and Phil Foden were all stopped, while Erling Haaland's header rebounded against the crossbar.
The first goal came from an unexpected source, yet it seemed like it was only a matter of time before the tie was broken.
Bukari, who served as Belgrade's primary breakaway option, had been unable to trouble City's defence before breaking through on goal in the 45th minute. He was clinical as he caressed a shot past the Brazilian custodian Ederson with only him to beat, shocking the home crowd and setting off raucous celebrations from his own supporters.
When the offside flag was hoisted, those cheers were silenced, but when VAR overturned the on-field ruling, there was a second outburst.
City enjoyed a record-setting 26-game unbeaten streak at Etihad Stadium in the Champions League, having not lost there since 2018.
With Alvarez's equalising goal two minutes after halftime, City recovered its edge after the break, extending that record to 27 games.
After combining with Haaland in the penalty area, the forward displayed quick feet to take the ball around Glazer and score from a tight angle.
On the hour, after Glazer's attempted punched clearance was unsuccessful, he gave City the lead with a free kick that was allowed to curl all the way into the top corner.
After moving the ball into the box and firing a low effort into the bottom corner, Rodri added a third in the 73rd minute.
