UCL: Halaand scores five as Man City destroy RB Leipzig
The striker completed a first-half hat-trick, scoring two goals in two minutes before adding two more in the second half,
On Tuesday, Erling Haaland's exceptional performance saw Manchester City demolish RB Leipzig in a 7-0 victory, securing their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The striker completed a first-half hat-trick, scoring two goals in two minutes before adding two more in the second half, resulting in an outstanding 8-1 aggregate triumph at the Etihad Stadium.
Haaland's impressive tally of 39 goals for the season broke Tommy Johnson's single-season City record, which was set in 1928-29, and set a new high mark for the youngest and quickest player to surpass 30 Champions League goals.
This tour-de-force performance showcased his exceptional talent and will undoubtedly be remembered in European folklore, regardless of what happens next.
Haaland was awarded a dubious penalty for his first goal, after a contested handball by Benjamin Henrichs. Despite the protests, he converted the penalty and quickly added another by nodding in a rebound after Kevin De Bruyne's shot hit the crossbar.
With an air of inevitability, Haaland completed his first-half hat-trick by bundling in the ball from close range after Ruben Dias' header was saved.
Ilkay Gundogan scored City's fourth goal with a sweeping low finish just four minutes into the second half, but the game belonged to Haaland, who added two more with close-range strikes before the hour.
Only three players have scored FIVE #UCL goals in a single game:
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 14, 2023
◎ Lionel Messi
◎ Luiz Adriano
◉ Erling Haaland
No one has ever scored six... pic.twitter.com/DKsLsEbjEo
He was eventually substituted in the 63rd minute to a standing ovation, denying him an unprecedented double hat-trick but saving him ahead of the quarter-finals, where he may set more records.
De Bruyne added a sublime seventh goal in stoppage time, giving the match a final touch of gloss.
Haaland's incredible performance ensured that Manchester City cruised through to the next round, and his record-breaking feats will be remembered for years to come.
