Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Extraordinary Erling Haaland scores five as Manchester City obliterate RB Leipzig

sportsmole.co.uk, 14 March 2023, 21:50
Records continued to tumble at the feet of Erling Braut Haaland as the scintillating Scandinavian scored five goals in Manchester City's 7-0 thumping of RB Leipzig in the second leg of their last-16 Champions League tie, which sent the Citizens through to the quarter-finals 8-1 on aggregate.

Having already guaranteed a match ball by the half-time whistle, Haaland added a further two strikes before the hour mark to take his tally to 39 for the season - becoming Man City's highest goalscorer ever in a single campaign.

Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne also got in on the act as the Premier League champions dismantled their beleaguered opponents, who were a shadow of the team that deservedly drew with City just three weeks ago.

While both sides were willing to press aggressively from the off, Pep Guardiola's charges soon began to dominate possession, and it took just 11 minutes for Haaland to have his first sight of goal.

Latching onto a long ball over the top from Nathan Ake, Haaland burst past Josko Gvardiol with ease but could not poke the ball past the onrushing Janis Blaswich.

Just 11 minutes later, the latest controversial interpretation of the handball rule came into play, as Rodri's header from a corner brushed the outstretched arm of Benjamin Henrichs on its way down.

Leipzig survived the ensuing goalmouth scramble, but referee Slavko Vincic was advised to look at the monitor, and the Slovenian barely hesitated before awarding a spot kick for Henrichs's handball.

The right-back was booked in the process as Haaland crashed a penalty into the bottom corner to give the hosts the lead on the night and on aggregate - Blaswich went the right way but was powerless to prevent the Norwegian opening his account.

A similar theme would follow as the first half progressed, and the ball was in the back of the net for a second time just 19 seconds after the restart, as De Bruyne crashed a 20-yard effort off the bar before Haaland leapt to head home the rebound.

The 22-year-old's header made it 30 goals in 25 Champions League games for the Nordic trailblazer - unsurprisingly the quickest time to hit that landmark - and he was denied a hat-trick in the 31st minute by Blaswich at his near post.

While the Leipzig number one was seeing most of the action, City number one Ederson clattered into Konrad Laimer with a raised boot in the 34th minute - the Brazilian's foot missed the Leipzig man, but he left plenty on him well outside his area.

However, the only card brandished during the incident saw Timo Werner booked for his protests, as Ederson got off scot-free before witnessing Haaland bring up a terrific treble in the second minute of added time.

Ruben Dias met a corner at the back stick, and the centre-back's header hit the inside of the post and trickled across the line - Amadou Haidara reacted quickest and attempted to clear, but he only succeeded in hitting the ball off Haaland's leg as the striker brought up his fifth hat-trick of the season.

Any choice words that Marco Rose had for his side at half time had little to no effect, as Gundogan fired in the hosts' fourth on the 49-minute mark, cutting onto his left and finding the far corner from just inside the box following a smart link-up with Jack Grealish.

The Haaland-inflicted humiliation would only get worse for a disjointed Leipzig just four minutes later, as despite Blaswich's best efforts in a goalmouth scramble - keeping out Haaland's header and Manuel Akanji's follow-up - the former was in the right place at the right time to fire home number four on the half-volley.

Clearly not learning their lessons from the last set-piece, Leipzig became victims of a five-star Haaland showing in the 57th minute, as Blaswich palmed the ball into the Scandinavian's path, and he duly obliged - firing home into the far corner for a scarcely believable fifth.

The one-man onslaught would soon end, as Guardiola offered Leipzig a slice of mercy by bringing Haaland off in the 63rd minute, having seen the Norwegian become just the third player to score five goals in a single Champions League game after Luiz Adriano and Lionel Messi.

As the action died down in the final half-hour, there was time for De Bruyne to get the goal his performance warranted in added time, curling home a sublime effort into the top corner from outside the area.

An FA Cup quarter-final against Vincent Kompany's Burnley is next up for Man City on Saturday, while Marco Rose's Leipzig have an identical recovery period before returning to Bundesliga action away to VfL Bochum.

Top News

28 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly giving more thought to making a fresh move for Inter Milan forward Marcus Thuram. 28 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are allegedly open to signing an alternative to goalkeeper Andre Onana. 28 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly planning to make an approach for Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap during a future transfer window. 28 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Only one point separates Serie A strugglers Como and Lecce ahead of their final fixture of 2024, as they prepare to meet at Stadio Sinigaglia on Monday. 28 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The January transfer window is almost here and clubs around the UK and Europe are lining up moves as they look to take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen. 28 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Empoli vs. Genoa (Saturday, 2.00pm) Both beaten by Serie A title contenders just before Christmas, Empoli and Genoa will meet for their final fixture of 2024 on Saturday afternoon. 28 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid reportedly decide against signing Virgil van Dijk for free in the summer of 2025, and only hold interest in Trent Alexander-Arnold. 28 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Cristiano Ronaldo backs Ruben Amorim to succeed at Manchester United and insists that the club's future is bright. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite is yet to sign a new contract with the Toffees and could be the subject of a transfer battle between Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite is yet to sign a new contract with the Toffees and could be the subject of a transfer battle between Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed that Raheem Sterling should return from injury quicker than expected, but Bukayo Saka has undergone surgery on his hamstring problem. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In their 24th Championship game of the season, Norwich City are set to host Queens Park Rangers at Carrow Road on Sunday. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to keep their flawless December record intact, Birmingham City will host Blackpool at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park in League One on Sunday afternoon. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Casa Pia will be looking to secure a third consecutive victory for the first time since November 2022 when they lock horns with Braga at the Estadio Braga Municipal on Sunday. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the match as Arsenal recorded a 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town in Friday night's Premier League contest at the Emirates Stadium. 27 December 2024 talksport.com Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday are locking horns in the race for Australian teen sensation Thomas Waddingham, talkSPORT understands. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final League Two gameweek of the calendar year sees table-topping Walsall aiming for a sixth consecutive win as they welcome Newport County to Poundland Bescot Stadium this weekend. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sporting Lisbon and Benfica bring their schedule for 2024 to an end with a thrilling top-of-the-table clash when they lock horns at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in round 16 of the Primeira Liga on Sunday. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Farense SC and Vitoria de Guimaraes bring their year to a close when they lock horns at the Estadio de Sao Luis in round 16 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga on Sunday. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Swansea City will be aiming to make it successive wins in the Championship when they continue their campaign with a home fixture against Luton Town on Sunday afternoon. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fulham are again sweating over the fitness of Emile Smith Rowe for Sunday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams enjoying excellent campaigns will lock horns for an intriguing Premier League contest on Sunday afternoon, with Fulham welcoming Bournemouth to Craven Cottage. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest are set to be without the services of midfielder Ryan Yates for the trip to Everton in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Everton could be prepared to welcome back the services of winger Dwight McNeil for the Premier League battle with Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Following a hard-fought point at the home of the faltering champions earlier in the week, Everton will continue their festive schedule with the visit of Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest. 27 December 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo has sensationally claimed the Saudi Pro League is superior to Ligue 1. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are all reportedly interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain attacker Randal Kolo Muani during the January transfer window. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly considering triggering the release clause of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi during the January transfer window due to their ongoing issues. 27 December 2024 talksport.com Leeds United have released a statement to condemn chants about Manor Solomon. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly made an offer for Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes.