Haaland surpasses Suarez, Rivaldo in Champions League as Guardiola dismisses release clause

The scoring sensation Erling Haaland netted once again for Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday as they beat Copenhagen 5-0 at the Etihad.

It’s a win that leaves City with nine points after three games in Group G and Pep Guardiola’s side need just two points across the final three matches to ensure they progress to the knockout stages of the competition.

It was Haaland who got the ball rolling for the Blues after he netted the opener against Copenhagen with a first-time finish from Joao Cancelo’s cross into the box.

The striker made it two soon after when his goalscoring instincts proved correct once again, as he was perfectly placed to tap in at the back post after Kamil Grabara pushed Sergio Gomez’s shot.

The second goal was Haaland’s 28th in the competition from a remarkable 22 appearances. That record has already topped the output of ex-Liverpool striker Luis Suarez in the Champions League, with the Uruguayan netting for Ajax, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the competition.

Meanwhile, Haaland has also topped Rivaldo’s goalscoring record. Like Suarez, the 2002 World Cup winner is on 27 Champions League goals.

In the all-time scorers in Europe’s preeminent club tournament, City’s No.9 is now just one behind David Trezeguet and Patrick Kluivert, while he’s two off the 30 mark, a figure achieved by Wayne Rooney and Kaka.

Asked about his decision to replace the forward at half-time on Wednesday, Guardiola said: “He’s played a lot of minutes. The game was under control. Cole [Palmer] is a top-class player and I look forward to him playing.

“If the game was tight, Erling would continue but it was better to rest for Southampton [on Saturday].”

Guardiola also denied reports in Spain that Haaland has a release clause inserted into his contract that will allow him to join Real Madrid in 2024.