Erling Haaland admitted that he was frustrated to be substituted after scoring five goals in Manchester City ’s Champions League demolition of RB Leipzig.
The striker put in a virtuoso performance as Pep Guardiola’s side destroyed RB Leipzig 7-0 at the Etihad to book their place in the quarter finals. He was substituted off in the 62 nd minute of the game, ensuring that he was not able to complete a sensational ‘double hat-trick’ – a feat he conceded he’d have loved the chance to complete.
The Norwegian – whose five goals came within a devastating 35-minute spell – already had a hat-trick by half-time; a penalty, close-range finish stemming from his pressing of the goalkeeper, and a scrappy third after Leipzig had cleared the ball off the line. Two more close range finishes furthered the pain for the visitors, either side of Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin de Bruyne goals.
After the match, Haaland told BT Sport he had told manager Pep Guardiola he wanted six when he was taken off. Whilst clearly said with a hint of light-heartedness, it is indicative of his mindset and determination Haaland has to continue his remarkable form in front of goal.
“I told Pep when I went off that I would love to score a double hat-trick,” Haaland joked. “But what I can do!”
Haaland’s remarkable five-goal haul ensured he moved beyond the 30-goal mark in the Champions League, becoming the youngest goal scorer in the competition to reach that milestone – secured by his hat-trick strike just before the break.
Haaland was substituted off by Guardiola just after the hour mark, having already bagged five goals
He is aged 22 years and 236 days, which 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. A sign of the Norwegian’s remarkable rate.
He added, when asked about what went through his head during his goals: “For a lot of my goals, I am not really thinking too much. My intention is always just to get the ball into the back of the net, to be quick in the mind and to do the right thing by instinct – by getting the ball past the goalkeeper. Obviously some of that is quality, but a lot of it is in the head.”
Speaking of City’s victory, he continued: “This was a big night. I am proud to play in the Champions League, I love this competition – as everyone knows. Five goals to win 7-0 at home, I am so happy!
Haaland’s five goals came within the space of a scarcely believable 35 minutes© Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images
“We worked on pressing them for this game, especially at home but in every game we need to put the opposition under pressure. We are so good at winning the ball high up the pitch and moving forward quickly, working the ball to Kevin de Bruyne.”
The Norwegian has also become just the third player to score five goals in a single Champions League game, and broke City’s record for the most goals scored in a single season – passing a 94-year record held by Tommy Johnston.
