Erling Braut Haaland set a new goal-scoring record in Manchester City‘s 3-0 win over Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.
Since joining the Citizens from Borussia Dortmund last summer, the Norwegian has been in dazzling form in front of goal, breaking a slew of records in his first season at the Etihad Stadium.
Haaland came into the first leg with Bayern having already scored 44 goals in 38 appearances this season across all competitions, including 10 in only six Champions League games.
The 22-year-old smashed five goals past German team RB Leipzig in the last 16 just under a month ago, and he managed to get his name on the scoresheet once again against Bayern, tucking home City’s third goal of the night in the 76th minute with a side-footed volley from close range.
Just six minutes earlier, Haaland set up Bernardo Silva for a header after Rodri had opened the score for the Citizens with a magnificent effort from the edge of the penalty area midway through the first half.
A mix of tenacious defence and relentless attack allowed Pep Guardiola’s team comfortably sweep aside a feeble Bayern squad, putting the reigning Premier League winners in pole position to reach the Champions League semi-finals.
Haaland – The Man City record broker
Haaland’s recent goal takes him to 45 for the season, the highest ever scored by a Premier League player in a single season in all competitions.
City’s No.9 has broken the previous record of 44 goals shared by former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2002-03 and current Liverpool player Mohamed Salah in 2017-18.
Van Nistelrooy and Salah both scored 44 goals in 52 games across all events, whereas Haaland only needed 39 games to score 45.
Haaland has also continued his remarkable scoring record against Bayern, with six goals in eight games against the Bavarian giants, the previous five coming with former side Borussia Dortmund.
Last month, Haaland became Manchester City’s all-time leading scorer in a single season, breaking Tommy Johnson’s 94-year record of 38 goals in the 1928-29 season.
The striker, who leads the Champions League scoring charts this season with 11, has now scored 12 goals in his last five matches across all tournaments and will look to add to his impressive tally when Man City host Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday.
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