Manchester City are on an arduous quest to win the Champions League, and with Erling Haaland scoring goals anything is possible.
The striker has once again proven his world-class credentials with five goals in their last-16 clash win over RB Leipzig.
City needed a spark to send them through to the quarter-finals after their 1-1 draw from the first leg, so up stepped Haaland.
The 22-year-old scored twice in as many minutes midway through the first half before adding a third just before the break.
It was his second hat-trick in the competition, which is already more than Thierry Henry, Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were able to score in their illustrious careers.
Haaland scored his fifth treble of the season, and his second goal saw him become the fastest player in Champions League history to score 30 goals.
City were in cruise control heading into the break but in the second half, Haaland wanted more.
He was on target in the 53rd and 57th minute to put the tie even further out of Leipzig’s reach, before being substituted in the 63rd minute.
“I told [manager] Pep Guardiola when I went off: ‘I would love to score a double hat-trick!’,” he said after the game. “But what can I do?
“I really love this competition, I love the Champions League”.
Despite the prospect of a double hat-trick, manager Guardiola defended his decision to bring him off. “If he achieved this milestone at 22, his life would be boring.”
Haaland now sits on 39 goals in 36 games for City in all competitions, which is a new record for the club.
Tommy Johnson held the title for most goals scored in a season for City for nearly a century with his 38 goals in the 1928/29 campaign.
talkSPORT pundit Micky Gray was taken aback by the statistics, calling the striker: “An absolute phenomenon.”
Gray added: “A freak of nature, something I don’t think we’ve actually seen in the Premier League or the Champions League, certainly not playing for City. His numbers are off the charts.”
It’s clear that the Norwegian is one of the best in the world, and even he is aware of his own incredible ability.
“I think after scoring five goals, I have to say scoring goals!” he said in response to former City defender Joleon Lescott on BT Sport asking what his super strength is.
When speaking on his goals, he added: “I’ll be honest, a lot of the goals today I didn’t think, I was just doing it.
“On the penalty, I was just trying to get the ball into the back of the net, same with the second goal, same with the third goal, same with every goal. I didn’t think on every single goal.”
City eventually won 7-0 on the night and 8-1 on aggregate to see them progress to the last eight for the sixth consecutive season.
They are yet to lift the Champions League, despite having such star-studded squads in previous campaigns.
Haaland could be the man to get them across the line though, especially when he continues to score goals for fun.
talkSPORT BET CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL OFFER
Get £25 for Cheltenham when you bet 5 x £5 – CLAIM HERE
18+ New customers only. Opt in via app and bet 5 x £5 (odds 2.00+) on Cheltenham from 13:00 UK time on 10.03.23 until 13:30 UK time on the 17.03.23. No Cash out. Get 5 x £5 in Free Bets, 7 days expiry. Card payments only. T&Cs apply, see below. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
