Erling Haaland broke the longest-standing Champions League and Man City records as he bagged five goals against Leipzig.
With the tie finely poised after the first leg in Germany that ended 1-1, the pressure was on Guardiola’s side. City had to beat Bundesliga’s third best side. Yet a virtuoso performance from Haaland blew the opposition away.
The Norwegian scored a first half hat-trick, a penalty, close-range finish stemming from his pressing of the goalkeeper and a scrappy third after Leipzig cleared the ball off the line.
Haaland scored twice more after the break from close range. This was after Ilkay Gundogan bagged the fourth from City as Leipzig collapsed. The Bundesliga side was unable to deal with the home side’s quality or intensity, with De Bruyne adding a late seventh goal.
The youngster’s remarkable five-goal haul ensured he moved beyond the 30-goal mark in the Champions League. Hence, he became the youngest goal scorer in the competition to reach the milestone.
Haaland is aged 22 years and 236 days. This is 116 days younger than previously youngest striker Kylian Mbappe when he reached the landmark. Lionel Messi was aged 23 years and 131 days when he moved onto 30. This is a sign of the Norwegian’s remarkable rate.
The fact that he was subbed off just after the hour mark, having already scored five goals, appeared to be a rare show of mercy from City. This however, allowed other attackers to get in on the act and give the star some rest.
On to breaking Man City’s record, for 94 years, Tommy Johnson held Man City’s club record for the most goals scored in a single season. Known for his powerful left foot shot, Johnson bagged 38 goals in the 1928-29 season for the club.
It appeared that such a remarkable record was going to move past the century mark. But then, came Haaland. He now has 39 goals in 36 appearances in his debut season with two months of the campaign still to come.
Meanwhile, the massive win against Leipzig showed Guardiola’s dominance in Germany. This marked the 14th occasion on which Guardiola’s side has faced Bundesliga opposition in the Champions League. The record is remarkable. 10 victories, 3 draws and 1 defeat-ironically in Leipzig in the group stage last summer.
City’s goal difference in those matches also reflects their dominance against German. Conceding 14 goals-one per game-but finding the nest on 44 occasions over three per match.
This run may not include games against Bayern Munich whome Guardiola previously managed. But is indicative of how City’s style and resources are too much for Bayern’s main domestic challengers.
As brilliant and ruthless as Man City were in this clash, this was a hugely concerning night for Leipzig. The side collapsed totally and played themselves into trouble constantly.
In this case, City created mutliple clear goalscoring opportunities before they broke the deadlock. As much as they were underdogs for this clash, the manner of their defeat may set alarm bells ringing.