Haaland scores three as City thrash Burnley to advance to FA Cup semi-finals

It took a while to unravel, but the Manchester City beat Burnley 6-0, this Saturday afternoon, at the Etihad Stadium, in a single game in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. With that, the team led by Pep Guardiola is qualified for the semifinal stage.

It was the first game of Citizens after the massacre over RB Leipzig, for the round of 16 of the Champions League, in the middle of the week. Haaland, once again, was directly responsible for the score: he scored the first three goals, reaching 42 goals in the season. Julian Álvarez (twice) and Palmer closed the account.

Now, the team will have some time until their next commitment, due to the Fifa Date next week. City will only return to the field on April 1, for the classic against Liverpool, at home, at 8:30 am (Brasília time), valid for the English Championship. Burnley, on the other hand, receives Sunderland a day earlier, at 4 pm (Brasília time).

The game

Unlike what was expected, Pep Guardiola did not give De Bruyne and Haaland rest for the duel. Likewise, Burnley surprised with a quick exchange of passes and bothered City. So much so that it was only in the 31st minute that the goal happened, in the first big dangerous offensive move.

Ortega launched the ball towards the attack, Haaland made the wall for Julian Álvarez, who returned to the Norwegian. He, with speed, touched the goalkeeper’s exit and stuffed the nets.

Just three minutes later, on a move down the left, De Bruyne passed to Phil Foden, who crossed low and found Haaland again. The player touched over, displacing the goalkeeper, and widened.

Burnley’s only chance came just before the final whistle of the first half, when Ortega made a great save from Maatsen’s shot.

At half-time, there were no changes at City. With less than ten minutes, still in the opponent’s field, Mahrez stopped Peacock in front of the goal. Shortly after, Haaland received on the right, charged and dribbled the opponents, to shoot and also stop at the goalkeeper.

At 14, however, no chances for Peacock. Mahrez received from De Bruyne, doubled with Haaland and passed to Phil Foden on the left, who fired hard at the crossbar. In the spare, however, again Haaland appeared and left his third goal in the game.

72. Another one! 🎩

🔵 5-0 🟣 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/mG7UEbnS7Y

— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 18, 2023

Shortly after, it was Mahrez’s turn to play for De Bruyne, who invaded the area and played for Rúben Dias, who was arriving and just pushed to the back of the net. With the result guaranteed, Guardiola replaced the two scorers and other players.

Before the 30 minutes, however, the nets rocked again, this time in a play by De Bruyne, who made a beautiful pass on the right, in a shot that stopped at the goalkeeper. Palmer, new to the field, grabbed the rebound and scored.

Moments later, the Belgian midfielder threw the ball to Julian Álvarez, who ran, won with his skill and kicked hard to score for the sixth time in the afternoon.