Erling Haaland has once again etched his name into the history books, becoming the fastest player to reach 50 Champions League goals. The Norwegian superstar struck the opener in Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over Napoli, achieving the milestone in just 49 matches—obliterating Ruud van Nistelrooy’s previous benchmark of 62 appearances.
The record looked under threat of delay as Napoli frustrated Pep Guardiola’s men for nearly an hour at the Etihad. However, Haaland made the difference when he rose to meet a Phil Foden flick, directing a looping header past Vanja Milinkovic-Savic. His goal not only secured a historic personal landmark but also paved the way for City’s much-needed European win.
A meteoric rise since debut
Erling Haaland’s dominance in Europe’s elite competition has been relentless since his debut in 2019. At just 19 years old, he introduced himself with a first-half hat trick for Red Bull Salzburg against Genk, becoming the only player to achieve such a feat on debut. He then scored in each of his first five Champions League matches, setting the tone for a career defined by ruthless efficiency.
His journey through Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund, and now Manchester City has been nothing short of extraordinary. By surpassing van Nistelrooy’s record by 13 games, Erling Haaland has underlined his status as one of football’s most devastating finishers.
Breaking down the numbers
Of his 50 goals, 34 have come from his lethal left foot, 11 from his right, and five from headers, showcasing his remarkable versatility in front of goal. Sevilla and RB Leipzig have proven to be his favourite victims, with six goals against each. Notably, five of his strikes versus Leipzig came in the second leg of the 2023 Round of 16, where he delivered one of the most dominant individual displays in Champions League history.
Perfect boost for Manchester City ahead of Arsenal clash
The triumph over Napoli comes at a crucial moment for Manchester City, who are preparing for a key Premier League showdown against Arsenal. Erling Haaland, along with teammates Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku, shone brightly, while Guardiola was able to rotate his squad and rest several key players after the hour mark.
With City having collected two wins and two losses in the league so far, the upcoming clash against Arsenal could shape their early title challenge. Haaland’s continued scoring form will be vital if the defending European champions are to extend their dominance domestically.