Manchester City defeated RB Leipzig 7-0 in the return leg of their UCL Round of 16 campaign, progressing to the quarter-finals with an aggregate score of 8-1. City advanced to the final eight of the Champions League for the sixth consecutive season, owing goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne.
Haaland joins Lionel Messi and Adriano as the third player in Champions League history to score five goals in a single game. The 22-year-old has also beaten Tommy Johnson’s club record for most goals scored in a particular season, which had been held since 1929, with 39 goals across all competitions.
Erling Haaland has now scored 33 goals in 25 Champions League games, breaking the 30-goal barrier faster compared to any other player in the competition’s history – and becoming the tournament’s youngest player to do it at just 22 years and 236 days.
Match Report : As it happened
RB Leipzig 0-7 Man City (Agg: 8-1): Erling Haaland scored 5 goals to push City into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. The tie was precariously poised following a 1-1 tie in Germany, but Haaland ripped the match away from City’s rivals by scoring a hat-trick in the first quarter and added a couple more positive chances before the first 45 minutes hour mark on an amazing night.
With City dominating in the early going, Erling Haaland placed his team ahead in front in the 22nd minute of the game by scoring a penalty following a disputed handball from Leipzig defensive blocker Benjamin Henrichs.
City gained total control just over a moment later, with Leipzig still suffering after the penalty decision. After some pre-match nudging from Pep Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne fired a spectacular left-footed shot against the bottom of the crossbar, which Haaland followed up with a header into an open net.
In the final action of the first quarter, Haaland demonstrated his predatory instincts once more when Leipzig’s defender Haidara cleared a ball off the line but went straight against the City’s forward after Ruben Dias’ header struck the post.
Ilkay Gundogan stole some of his teammate’s thunder with a well-placed strike in the 49th minute after a nice move with Jack Grealish, but the Haaland display was only temporarily interrupted for a few moments. Haaland’s two final goals, both from close range, fourth came within 53rd and fifth in 57th minute to seal his 5 goal haul in 57 minutes in a single game.
Yet, after coming infuriatingly short in this tournament for so many seasons, Haaland did everything he could to imply he may be the difference-maker in finally delivering a Champions League trophy to Manchester City this season.
As De Bruyne scored an incredible goal in extra time to make the scoreline 7-0 and complete Leipzig’s suffering with their toughest defeat, Manchester City still had the opportunity to equal their greatest victory in a UEFA contest.
Haaland statement after Manchester City’s win
Erling Haaland at the post-match conference said,“It’s a big night.” “My super strength is scoring goals.” “I’m a bit blurry in my head so I don’t remember the goals.” “I remember shooting, not thinking.” “Five goals, to win 7-0 in this competition – I’m really happy.”
Read next : ATKMB made it to the HERO ISL Finals
