Erling Haaland set new standards in the Champions League. He rewrote the record books by scoring an incredible five times as Manchester City swept RB Leipzig. Manchester City striker became the fastest and youngest player to score 30 in European club soccer’s elite competition. Haaland is also the youngest player to score five times in a single Champions League game. Joined Argentina great Lionel Messi and Brazil forward Luiz Adriano as the only players to do so.
So much for the suggestions the Norway striker is something of a problem for Pep Guardiola.
He is a goal machine who produced a statement performance to fire City into the quarterfinals.
“I’m blurry in my head. I remember shooting but not thinking,” Haaland said after he match.
Haaland needed only 25 games to score 30 goals, surpassing the record held by former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. Who reached that benchmark in 34.
At 22 years, and 236 days old, Haaland is also the youngest player to score 30 Champions League goals. In which he beat Kylian Mbappé, who had broken Messi’s record.
Haaland has now scored 39 goals this season in all competitions. His record in Europe could prove a game-changer in City’s pursuit of the biggest prize in club soccer.
Haaland opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute. When Benjamin Henrichs was adjudged to have handled in the box after a video review.
He had his second and his 30th in the Champions League when heading in a rebound in the 24th after Kevin de Bruyne hit the bar. His hat trick goal came in the the second minute of first-half stoppage time.
Ilkay Gundogan made it 4-0 just four minutes into the second half and Haaland scored two more in the 54th and 57th.