O Manchester City ran over RB Leipzig this Tuesday, by 7-0, at the Etihad Stadium, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Champions League. The English team had an incredible five goals from star Erling Haaland to dispatch the Germans. In the first leg, the duel had ended in a 1-1 tie (8-1 on aggregate).
The Citizens now join Benfica, Milan, Chelsea, Bayern and Inter Milan among the clubs classified to the next phase of the competition. This Wednesday, Real Madrid v Liverpool and Napoli v Eintracht Frankfurt will define the last clubs to guarantee their places.
With the five goals scored, Haaland also surpassed the Egyptian Salah at the top of the tournament’s artillery. Now, the Norwegian adds ten balls to the net in this edition of the Champions League alone. In addition, he equaled the feat of Messi and Luiz Adriano by scoring five goals in a single match valid for the Champions League.
The clashes for the quarterfinals of the Champions League will be known through a draw, which will take place this Friday. From then on, the entire ranking of the knockout phase until the decision will be designed. The final of the competition is scheduled for June 10, at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey.
Meanwhile, Manchester City turn their attention to the FA Cup. Pep Guardiola’s team will receive Burnley on Saturday at 2:45 pm (Brasília time), for the quarterfinals of the national tournament.
How was the game?
City kicked things off with a dangerous chance after just two minutes. Arriving on the right, De Bruyne crossed to Gundogan, who kicked first, free of marking, but sent the ball over. Then, at ten, Haaland received a launch in front of the goal, but was unbalanced and took it badly.
In a pressure move by City, after a corner kicked by De Bruyne, the referee saw a hand on the ball by Henrichs, after a header by Rúben Dias, at 20. The moment was reviewed by the VAR judge, who confirmed the penalty. In the collection, Haaland did not forgive in a low beat: 1 to 0.
There wasn’t even time to celebrate the first and, two minutes later, Haaland was already hitting the nets again. This time, the Norwegian headed for De Bruyne, who corrected a left-handed shot on the edge of the area, hitting the crossbar. The number 9 checked the rebound headed to the back of the net.
The English did not lower the pace and scared once again with Haaland, at 30. Now, however, goalkeeper Blaswich made a great save. The archer would reappear after 38 minutes, in a beautiful cross finish by Gundogan, who was flattened by him.
Just before the final whistle in the first half, Haaland achieved the hat-trick. Rúben Dias completed De Bruyne’s cross in the small area, and saw the ball hit the post and bounce on the goal line. The attacker then stretched and scored his third in the game.
It didn’t take long for City to extend their lead after half-time. Gundogan countered with Grealish, got rid of Haidara and crossed the corner, only after three minutes. Five minutes later, he, Haaland, did one more. Now, the number 9 got a rebound from Blaswich, in the small area, and puffed up the nets.
And it looked like nothing could stop Haaland tonight. At 11, the striker reached his fifth goal in the match. Once again he had a spare in the area and completed with his right leg into the empty goal. There was still time for De Bruyne to score a goal in stoppage time, in a beautiful shot from outside the area, and give City final numbers for a capital victory.
73′. Movement perfection!
A Norwegian goal scoring machine! 🇳🇴
🔵 6 x 0 ⚫ #MCFCPortugues | #UCL pic.twitter.com/At2XzbMUcE
— Manchester City (@ManCityPT) March 14, 2023
Source: Gazetaesportiva
Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
