Erling Haaland knew the record of five goals in one game very well. As if shot from a pistol, he replied into the microphone that this feat in the premier class had already been achieved by Lionel Messi, once in the 7-1 win against Bayer Leverkusen, and Luiz Adriano in the Shakhtar Donetsk jersey.
But nobody made it as young as the 22-year-old Manchester City striker in the 7-0 Champions League win over RB Leipzig. “It’s a fantastic feeling, I’m really proud and happy,” said the Norwegian, snatching the ball from the referee as a trophy for an unforgettable evening at the Etihad Stadium, where every goal he scored and when he was substituted in the 63rd minute Minute “Haaland, Haaland” chants.
Guardiola: “He’s a serial winner”
Pep Guardiola was also blown away by Haaland’s force of nature on the lawn. “Erling was great, but everyone was extraordinary. Five in 60 minutes. Incredible guy, huge talent. Power, mentality, he’s a serial winner. Really good,” praised Guardiola and received a rebuke from his superstar in the intimate hug. “I told him (Pep Guardiola) I would have liked to score a double hat-trick, but what should I do?”
The Norwegian powerhouse was in top form in the rain and sometimes snow. Even Leipzig’s Mister Champions League, Emil Forsberg, had to acknowledge that without envy. “He’s really good in front of goal, no matter what, he’s always there. He has the feel and feeling of where the ball is going.” RB defense chief Willi Orban went even further: “He was always there where the ball fell, so you kind of have to congratulate him that the law of attraction was on his side today. The boy is a special guy.”
The gala show of the massive 1.95 meter tall striker began with a controversial hand penalty in the 22nd minute – then the city star headed in 77 seconds later. And just before half-time, Haaland made his hat-trick perfect (45.2). After Ilkay Gündogan scored the fourth goal (49th), Haaland sealed the highest Leipzig defeat in Champions League history with goals number four and five (54th and 57th). He himself has now scored ten goals in the current season in the premier class, as well as 28 goals in 26 games in the Premier League. Kevin De Bruyne provided the final score in Manchester (90.2).
