Red Star Belgrade 2-3 Man City: Youngsters Micah Hamilton and Oscar Bobb both score and impress as Pep Guardiola's side end Champions League group stage with a perfect record... with Kalvin Phillips netting winner from the spot

Try telling Manchester City's kids that this was a dead rubber game.

This was a night where the club's academy graduates shone on the European stage, with Micah Hamilton and Oscar Bobb scoring their first senior goals to help City become only the second English team to win all six of their Champions League group matches. There was even joy for Kalvin Phillips, who also netted his first City goal with a second-half penalty.

Pep Guardiola's side had already secured top spot in Group G ahead of this final game with Red Star Belgrade - who were guaranteed to finish bottom. There was little at stake, but this turned into an entertaining encounter and, for Hamilton and Bobb, a night to remember.

Manchester-born Hamilton was 13-years-old when he was one of the ball boys that Guardiola instructed to help lift his team's intensity in 2017 by ensuring games re-started quicker. But he has had to be patient for his chance with the first team.

A series of injuries halted his progress, with other academy graduates getting their opportunity in his absence. His passionate celebration after the ball had hit the back of the net showed that it was certainly worth the wait.

'What a goal and what a game,' Guardiola said of Hamilton. 'I'm so happy for him. We saw his skills and he made a fantastic goal.

'Our academy is working so well, so many players [are] now playing at a top level.

'It's not easy to give opportunities in that level because in big clubs people don't wait, but the situation we had was really good. It's a big compliment for the academy.'

For Bobb, this was vindication for trusting Guardiola. The City boss rejected enquiries from Porto and Ajax in the summer as well as multiple loan approaches. Bobb was leading the line in the absence of the injured Erling Haaland and just like his fellow Norwegian, showed he too knows where the goal is.

Guardiola had promised his fringe players a run out here and the City boss kept to his word, with nine changes to the team that beat Luton last weekend. Five of the starting XI had come through the club's academy.

The Rajko Mitic Stadium is historically an intimidating place for opposition teams and the home fans turned out in force despite their elimination from Europe already sealed. Their players eventually matched their intensity - with two second-half goals - but for much of the first half City operated as if this was a training match. The brief spark was provided by Hamilton in the 19th minute.

A flowing City move saw Jack Grealish combine with Matheus Nunes, who flicked the ball out wide to Hamilton. The forward still had much to do as he shimmied past Peter Olayinka and Aleksandar Dragovic before firing a powerful finish into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

Red Star offered more in the second half, with Stefan Ortega forced into two fine saves in the 50th minute. A reaction stop denied Cherif Ndiaye before Guelor Kanga saw a long-range effort tipped over the bar.

It was the impressive Bobb who found the net at the other end. The forward showed quick feet to dribble past two Red Star defenders before tucking a tidy finish into the bottom right corner.

The home fans did get a chance to celebrate as In-beom Hwang pulled one back with a close-range finish in the 76th minute.

City soon regained their two-goal lead when Hamilton won a penalty after being tripped by Nasser Djiga. Phillips' struggles at City have been well-documented but he stepped up to convert the spot-kick emphatically.

There was still time for a nervy finish as Aleksandar Katai bundled in a header in the 91st minute. But it did not spoil what was a memorable night for City's young team.