'Freak of nature' Haaland sets yet more records as Pep defends early substitution

The Norwegian has once again proven his world-class credentials having scored five goals in their last-16 clash against RB Leipzig.

Advertisement

City needed a spark to send them through to the quarter-finals after their 1-1 draw from the first leg, so up stepped Haaland.

The 22-year-old scored twice in as many minutes midway through the first half before adding a third just before the break.

Advertisement

It was his second hat-trick in the competition, which is already more than Thierry Henry, Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were able to score in their illustrious careers.

Haaland netted his fifth treble of the season, and the second goal saw him become the fastest player in Champions League history to score 30 goals.

City were in cruise control heading into the break but in the second half, Haaland wanted more.

He netted in the 53rd and 57th minute to put the tie even further out of Leipzig's reach, before being substituted in the 63rd minute.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Despite the prospect of a double hat-trick, Pep Guardiola defended his decision to bring him off, saying: "If he achieved this milestone at 22, his life would be boring."

Haaland now sits on 39 goals in 36 games for City in all competitions, which is a new record for the club.

Tommy Johnson held the title for most goals scored in a season for City for nearly a century with his 38 goals in the 1928/29 campaign.

Advertisement

talkSPORT pundit Micky Gray was taken aback by the statistics, calling the striker: "An absolute phenomenon."

Gray added: "A freak of nature, something I don't think we've actually seen in the Premier League or the Champions League, certainly not playing for City. His numbers are off the charts."

It's clear that the Norwegian is one of the best in the world, and even he is aware of his own incredible ability.

Advertisement

"I think after scoring five goals, I have to say scoring goals!" he said in response to former City defender Joleon Lescott on BT Sport asking what his super strength is.

When speaking on his goals, he added: "I'll be honest, a lot of the goals today I didn't think, I was just doing it.

"On the penalty, I was just trying to get the ball into the back of the net, same with the second goal, same with the third goal, same with every goal. I didn't think on every single goal."

Advertisement

City eventually won 7-0 on the night and 8-1 on aggregate to see them progress to the last eight for the sixth consecutive season.

They are yet to lift the Champions League, despite having such star-studded squads in previous campaigns.

Haaland could be the man to get them across the line though, especially when he continues to score goals for fun.