With three goals in the first half, Erling Haaland helped Manchester City take command of their second-leg UEFA Champions League Round of 16matchup against RB Leipzig at the Etihad. The Norwegian’s efforts will not only help his team advance in the tournament thanks to an 8-1 winon aggregate, but they also represent a remarkable personal accomplishment.
His five goals were scored in a crushing35-minute stretch, and he had a hat trick at the break.Two additional goals from close range compounded the misery for the visitors, thanks toIlkay Gundogan’s and Kevin de Bruyne’s efforts.
Haaland joins Luiz Adriano (2014) and Lionel Messi (2012) as the only other players with fiveChampions League goals in a single game. The 22-year-old striker’schance to break the Argentine’s recordwas cut short when, in the 62nd minute, he was replaced.
Why did Pep Guardiola replace Erling Haaland against Leipzig?
The Norway internationalexpressed his displeasure at being substituted with half an hour remaining in the game. Haaland toldBT Sport after the game that he had wished to add hissixth when he was taken off by manager Pep Guardiola:“I told Pep when I went off that I would love to score a double hat-trick. But what I can do!”, he said.
The Spanish bosshas since addressed Haaland’saccomplishment and provided context for his benching:“I know that Leo [Messi] scored five goals, I remember it perfectly. But it’s incredible that Haaland did it in 60 minutes, it’s not the case with Leo. But Erling is very young he has an incentive of beating Messi’s record in the future. If he wouldhave achieved that at 22, he would be bored in the future!
“You know, what are we going to say, the numbers of the season… the problem with this boy is that when he doesn’t score two or three goals then he will be criticized. For the rest of his career, this is the reality. He is a joy and he’s always happy in the dressing room, helping and giving his all for others. He’s a great competitor, with a great mentality. He’s scored five goals and it’s not easy”, Guardiola was quoted telling Sky Sports.
