Phil Foden fires as Man City's Pep Guardiola backs England recall after Dortmund double

The match took place at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.

Foden, 25, netted a brace, one in each half, to guide City to a fourth win in five league-phase matches and bolster their strong record against German opposition, with just one defeat in their last 23 encounters with Bundesliga sides.

The midfielder, who has not played for England since a World Cup qualifier against Latvia in March, has rediscovered his best form after a difficult 2024/25 campaign, and Guardiola believes it is only a matter of time before he returns to the international fold.

"Thomas is so smart and wise; he knows exactly what the national team needs," Guardiola said. "Everyone in this country knows Phil's quality. England are lucky to have so many good players, but Phil must keep pushing to show how special he is. When he's called, he'll be ready."

Guardiola added that Foden is already back to his best. "He doesn't need to get closer, he's there. His goals were incredible. When he plays between the lines, with his touch, his turn, and his energy, he's unique. We need his goals, and today was hopefully the first step."

Foden admitted he was enjoying football again after a tough year. "I just need to play with a smile on my face," he told TNT Sports. "Last season was hard for everyone, but there's a new togetherness this year. We've got great leaders and new players who've brought hunger and energy. You can see we're starting to look like the old City again."

The England playmaker opened the scoring midway through the first half with a precise strike from 20 yards before Erling Haaland doubled the lead from a Jeremy Doku assist. Foden then curled in another superb effort after the break before Dortmund pulled one back through Waldemar Anton. Substitute Rayan Cherki, who joined City from Lyon in the summer, sealed the win in stoppage time to help City climb to fourth in the league-phase standings.

Guardiola said Foden's form could be crucial ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Liverpool. "Before a big, big match like that, it's important to have Phil back at this level," he said.

Tuchel will announce his England squad next week for World Cup qualifiers against Serbia on November 13 and Albania later that international window, and on current form, Foden's name will be hard to ignore.