Erling Haaland: The Name Behind Leipzig’s Champions League Horror
RB Leipzig faced a horrific defeat against Manchester City in the recently concluded Champions League encounter, with the main culprit being superstar striker Erling Haaland. The Norwegian footballer scored an incredible five goals, leading to a humiliating 7-0 loss for the Bundesliga team.
The first goal came in the 22nd minute, with VAR intervening after Nordi Mukiele’s challenge on Haaland was called a handball. The referee awarded a penalty which Haaland successfully converted.
Despite protests from Leipzig, UEFA’s new rule states that a penalty must be given if the arm is stretched away from the body, regardless of intent. BILD referee expert Thorsten Kinhöfer called the decision a “scandal” and criticized UEFA’s new rule.
Haaland’s second goal came just 77 seconds later, making it the fastest brace in Champions League history. The goal came after Leipzig goalkeeper Blaswich’s tee landed on Kevin De Bruyne, who hit the crossbar. Haaland scored with his head, but the Leipzig goalkeeper seemed to have been fouled by the striker.
In the 45th minute, a Dias header hit the post, and Haaland blocked Haidara’s goal clearance to score the third goal for City. The second half continued with Haaland’s madness, as he added two more goals to his tally, with Ilkay Gündogan adding one more.
Haaland’s five goals in 35 minutes make him the third player in Champions League history to score five goals in a knockout game, after Lionel Messi and Luiz Adriano. Despite Leipzig’s previous away game in Manchester, where they conceded six goals, they failed to contain the superstar striker’s galactic performance.
The defeat comes as a massive blow for Leipzig who drew the first leg 1-1 in front of their home crowd. Haaland’s heroics have now destroyed their chances of progressing in the competition, while Manchester City will hope to continue their winning streak in the next round.
