ERLING HAALAND’s unprecedented goalscoring feats are barely believable even in a Covid age.
The Norwegian superstar, 20, stole the show yet again in Europe with two goals and an assist as Borussia Dortmund took control of their last 16 tie against Sevilla.
Erling Haaland made it 18 goals in just 13 Champions League appearancesCredit: EPA
The Norwegian bagged two goals and an assist against SevillaCredit: EPA
Haaland was too good on the night for the Spanish side who had kept a clean sheet for seven games in a rowCredit: EPA
Haaland became the first player ever to score as many as 18 goals in 13 Champions League appearances and the fifth to bag a brace in five consecutive outings in the tournament.
And he is now the fastest player ever to hit double figures for a club in Uefa’s premier competition after bringing up his tenth BVB goal in just seven games.
The former RB Salzburg striker masterminded a Dortmund comeback as the German side defied awful Bundesliga form to stun their LaLiga opponents, who had gone ahead after just seven minutes.
Julen Lopetegui’s side were looking to make it eight consecutive clean sheets but were given a rude awakening at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.
Former Liverpool ace Suso broke the deadlock but the Anfield flop was the beneficiary of a huge slice of luck.
Jadon Sancho was far too easily thrown by the Sevilla No7’s chop and with the Englishman out of the way he was free to let fire from just outside the box on the right-hand edge.
Suso’s fairly innocuous shot was deflected into the net off Mats Hummels who had left his left foot dangling.
Stand-in Dortmund keeper Marwin Hitz was helpless as the ball – which he appeared to have covered – dramatically changed course and rolled over the line.
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Suso put Sevilla ahead after just seven minutes with his deflected shotCredit: EPA
Sancho grew into the game and began to show what has had Manchester United purring for so long.
He picked up the ball inside his own half and glided past a number of Sevilla defenders only for his mazy run to come to nothing.
Dortmund bounced back from the early set-back and didn’t let their heads drop despite having won only one of their last six league games – ending any faint title hopes as they trail defending champs Bayern Munich by 16 points.
And they were back on level terms thanks to Mahmoud Dahoud’s scorching strike – his first Champions League goal and certainly one to remember.
The unfancied 25-year-old had found himself in the reserves at the start of 2021 but showed his worth to his side in some style.
Dahoud curled a super effort from over 20 yards out past Yassine Bounou in the Sevilla goal.
Haaland’s industrious work in the build-up will have been another tick in the box for his many suitors as his hold-up play and pass set his team-mate away.
Mahmoud Dahoud equalised with a super curling effortCredit: Reuters
Haaland gave Dortmund the edge going into the return leg in GermanyCredit: EPA
Dortmund skipper Marco Reus helped tee up HaalandCredit: Reuters
Sevilla were knocked by the equaliser and the floodgates soon opened with the world’s most in-demand forward putting Dortmund ahead.
BVB sliced Sevilla open with far too much ease and a gorgeous one-two between the transfer targets on everyone’s lips – Sancho and Haaland – allowed the Norwegian No9 to poke the ball home ahead of onrushing Bounou.
It must be said the usually resolute Sevilla defence were uncharacteristically shredded with Diego Carlos’ awful defending allowing Haaland to wreak havoc.
Haaland rapped the gloves of the busy keeper soon after, but wasn’t to be denied for long as skipper Marco Reus teed him up perfectly after catching Ivan Rakitic napping in possession and breaking dangerously.
The 31-year-old slid Haaland in and he calmly swept the ball into the net with minimal fuss to see his side go in at half-time 3-1 ahead. Quite the turnaround.
After the break the game initially lacked the same intensity with Sevilla desperately ringing the changes to try and regain a foothold in the tie – and Dortmund happy to protect their advantage with three away goals already banked.
Jude Bellingham looked assured as he became the youngest Englishman to ever start a Champions League knockout game.
The 17-year-old midfielder will undoubtedly soon be adding to Gareth Southgate’s selection headaches.
Dortmund were indebted to a combination of the post and Hitz to keep their two-goal cushion in tact after a dangerous Sevilla free-kick took a nick off the yellow wall.
However, it was Dortmund’s turn to switch off at the back late on as Luuk de Jong prodded in from another free-kick after 84 minutes.
Sevilla mounted a stirring late show and a VAR check denied them a stoppage-time penalty with the tie firmly reignited ahead of the return leg in Germany.
Luuk de Jong celebrates scoring Sevilla’s late second goal to keep their hopes aliveCredit: Reuters
Erling Haaland will be the best striker in the world
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
