Champions League

ERLING HAALAND scored yet another double in the Champions League on Tuesday night – blitzing a record in the process.
Borussia Dortmund secured a 5-4 aggregate win over Sevilla in the last-16 with four of their goals scored by the Norwegian.

A pair in the first leg was followed by a simple finish back in Germany and a controversial second that sealed the tie.
A strong run and finish by the 20-year-old was cancelled out by VAR awarding a penalty for an earlier infringement on him.
Haaland missed from the spot but Bono had stepped off his line too early, leading to a retake that was scored before the striker yelled in his rival’s face.
Sevilla players were unhappy with the celebration, with the Borussia star shouting ‘unlucky’ at the goalkeeper and earning a booking for his troubles.

The moment put Haaland on 20 Champions League goals in only his 14th match – a remarkably quicker pace than any of his attacking predecessors.
Harry Kane previously held the record by reaching the number in 24 games.
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Knocked into third place was iconic Italy striker Alessandro del Piero, who scored in each of his first five Champions League appearances and reached 20 goals in his 26th outing.
A touch behind are Ruud van Nistelrooy on 27 games and Filippo Inzaghi on 28.
Crucial to the Dutchman’s exploits was the staggering tally of 12 goals in Manchester United’s 2002-03 campaign, where he notched in each of his nine appearances.
It is something of a surprise to see how modern greats of the game have laboured in their hunt for their first 20 goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo hit 20 Champions League goals in 56 games while Lionel Messi took 40 matches and Robert Lewandowski 36.
Future Ballon d’Or rival Kylian Mbappe reached the figure earlier this season, hitting a brace against Istanbul Basaksehir in his 42nd game.

It all started for Erling Haaland with a hat-trick past GenkCredit: Reuters

Harry Kane has lost his crown as the Champions League’s quickest marksman to reach 20 goalsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Meanwhile, Haaland’s stunning 14-game run includes a hat-trick on his competition debut for RB Salzburg, versus Genk in September 2019.
Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain are the only teams to have enjoyed a shutout against the forward, who nonetheless scored against both in the reverse leg of those quiet nights.
This season, he has ten goals in six matches and is yet to fail to score on a European matchday.
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LIVERPOOL loanee Marko Grujic was hailed for his ‘s***house’ tactics as Porto dumped Juventus out of the Champions League.
Porto were already on the brink of going through when the Serbian midfielder, 24, went down theatrically under little pressure from Adrien Rabiot in the corner.

Marko Grujic took a sneaky glance at the officials after buying a crucial late free-kick for PortoCredit: BT Sport

The referee gave the free-kick in the 119th minute, with the Portuguese side knowing they would advance on away goals if it remained 3-2 to Juve on the night.
And after winning the cheap free-kick, Grujic made sure he wasted a few more precious seconds by staying down pretending to be hurt.
He was then spotted taking a cheeky peek at the officials as he went full Sergio Busquets and David Luiz mode.
Both pantomime villains were caught on camera having a sneaky look when faking injuries.

BT Sport commentator Robbie Savage could not help but laugh while their Twitter account shared the clip and wrote: “Marko Grujic, that is shameless,” with a laughing emoji.
Unsurprisingly there was plenty of reaction to Grujic – who has made just 16 Liverpool appearances despite signing in 2016 – with some lauding his gamesmanship and others criticising the ex-Cardiff flop.
One wrote: “That is worth buying his shirt tomorrow.”
Another said: “Proper s***housery from Grujic.”

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But a third added: “Ban him!”
And a fourth user commented: “Not even something to laugh about it’s disgraceful, the referee had an awful performance and falling for stunts like this.”
And Grujic’s tactics helped ensure he and his Porto team-mates enjoyed the last laugh in Turin.
The tie ended 4-4 on aggregate but Sergio Olivera’s 30-yard free-kick proved to be the crucial goal five minutes from the end of extra time – even though Rabiot headed in Juventus’ winner on the night.
Cristiano Ronaldo was slammed for his part in the free-kick as he jumped and turned his back on the ball, which was then struck underneath him and into the bottom corner.
Ex-Old Lady boss Fabio Capello said: “That was an unforgivable error.
“In my day, you chose the players who went into the wall and they couldn’t be someone afraid of the ball.
“They were scared of the ball and jumped away from it, turning their backs. That’s unforgivable.”
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The Serbian went down theatrically after slight contact from Adrien RabiotCredit: BT Sport

Grujic and his Porto team-mates dumped Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus out of the Champions LeagueCredit: Reuters

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CRISTIANO RONALDO was slammed for turning his back on Porto’s winning free-kick as Fabio Capello branded it ‘unforgivable’.
Sergio Olivera struck in the 115th minute to put the Portuguese ten men 4-3 in front on aggregate on a bonkers night at Juventus’ Allianz Stadium.

Alvaro Morara, Cristiano Ronaldo and Adrien Rabiot turned their back on Porto’s winning free-kickCredit: EPA

THIS IS TRULY INCREDIBLE!!!!Sérgio Oliveira scores for 10-man Porto and the visitors are on the brink of going through!WHAT. A. GAME! pic.twitter.com/PkUAlrfxd5
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 9, 2021

Adrien Rabiot pulled one back with a header three minutes from time but it was not enough as Ronaldo and Co crashed out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage.
Capello was furious with his former side and hit out at Ronaldo for his sheepish error.
Olivera, who had scored an early penalty, took a huge run-up at the ball 30 yards from goal.
Expecting the Porto midfielder to leather is as hard as possible, Ronaldo, Rabiot and Alvaro Morata in the three-man wall all jumped around as he took the strike.

But Olivera brilliantly drove the ball along the ground and under the wall – who lost sight of it as they turned.
And despite getting a decent hand to it, Wojciech Szczesny could not keep it out.
Capello raged on Sky Sport Italia: “That was an unforgivable error.
“In my day, you chose the players who went into the wall and they couldn’t be someone afraid of the ball.

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“They were scared of the ball and jumped away from it, turning their backs.
“That’s unforgivable.”
Juventus’ long wait for European glory goes on for another year while question marks remain over whether Ronaldo will still be at the club next season.
The Old Lady are thought to be willing to sell him this summer in order to save on his £540,000-a-week wages with the club reeling from the financial hit of coronavirus.
One player they will refuse to sell is Matthijs de Ligt – the Dutchman is not only a top-quality young defender but is a natural leader in the dressing room.
And that was evident on Tuesday night as only he, Federico Chiesa and Juan Cuadrado fronted the Sky media cameras while the more senior players were ‘nowhere to be seen’.
Ex-England boss Capello added: “You see only the youngest players actually stepped in and showed their face during the tough moments.
“In this team, there are some veterans who turn up when they win to take the credit, then are nowhere to be seen when they lose.”

The ball went straight under the Juventus players who could not see where it was

Wojciech Szczesny could not stop the strike as the three-man wall watch on in horrorCredit: AP:Associated Press

Ronaldo suffered another early exit from the Champions League as Juve’s wait goes onCredit: AP:Associated Press

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ERLING HAALAND blitzed more goal records as Dortmund defied Sevilla’s storming comeback to sneak into the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Manchester United and Man City target became the fastest player to 20 score times in the competition in just his 14th game – and the first to hit doubles in four successive ties.

“Marco Reus sets it up and you know who does the rest!”Erling Haaland strikes again for Dortmund in the #UCL, putting his side 1-0 up vs. Sevilla! ⚽He can’t be stopped! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/YJoPz1aYO9
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 9, 2021

TWENTY goals in the Champions League already for Erling Haaland! 🔥He’s now the quickest player in #UCL history to hit the 20-goal mark – beating Harry Kane who did it in 24 appearances!Haaland has taken just 14 games… 🤯 pic.twitter.com/c2ahn9lMlZ
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 9, 2021

Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland celebrates his latest night of history-makingCredit: AP:Associated Press

And the Norway striker absolutely shattered the previous-quickest mark to 20 strikes… the 24 matches Harry Kane needed.
Haaland slotted home from a Dortmund breakaway with his first touch in the Sevilla box to ruin the Spaniards’ superiority of the opening 35 minutes.
Then he tucked home a retaken penalty amid ugly scenes to seemingly leave the Germain giants cruising through.
But Youssef En-Nesyri replied with a thumping spot-kick of his own and levelled on the night six minutes into stoppage time.

So, remarkably, meant Dortmund had to survive a nervous finale to triumph 5-4 on aggregate – after basking for so long in Haaland’s brilliance.
Sevilla had also been undone by Haaland in Dortmund’s 3-2 first-leg victory.
United, City and Chelsea appear the frontrunners, should Dortmund cash in on the 20-year-old in the summer.
And he showed once again there might be no better poacher in the world.

Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland followed up his first leg double with another spreeCredit: AP:Associated Press

Dortmund striker Erling Haaland nets from virtually his first real chanceCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Erling Haaland celebrates his simple opener for Dortmund on 35 minutesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Youssef En-Nesyri gave Sevilla late hope with a double but Dortmund held onCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Having tucked home a pull-back from Marco Reus, he doubled Dortmund’s lead with a 54th-minute penalty of amazing drama.
Referee Cuneyt Cakir ruled out a Haaland finish from a tight angle for a foul, having been persuaded to consult VAR.
But on seeing the replays Cakir awarded a spot-kick for Haaland being pulled in the build-up.
Yassine Bounou saved Haaland’s kick – and celebrated in the frontman’s face.
But as Sevilla dashed upfield the game, was called back for the keeper having been off his line for the penalty.
Haaland knocked it home this time – and copied Bounou’s over-the-top gloating.
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That prompted several Sevilla players to pursue him up the pitch.
Dortmund themselves were also given a chasing – as En-Nesyri struck twice.
But in the end Haaland’s history-making was not to be overshadowed.

20 – Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland has now scored 20 goals in 14 UEFA Champions League appearances; the quickest a player has ever reached 20 goals in the competition, and in 10 fewer appearances than the previous record holder (Harry Kane, 24). Astonishing. pic.twitter.com/jaUCwVmIks
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 9, 2021

Man Utd target Erling Haaland bags his and Dortmund’s second goal from the penalty spotCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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FROM history-making to histrionics – Erling Haaland spiced up his latest record-breaking spree with an amazing exchange over a retaken penalty.
The Borussia Dortmund striker completed his fourth successive Champions League double in the most dramatic way possible as the Germans edged out Sevilla 5-4 on aggregate.

Erling Haaland roars back at Sevilla keeper Bono after converting the retaken penalty during the 2-2 draw, Dortmund winning 5-4 on aggregateCredit: Reuters

Miss and make-up – as Erling Haaland and Bono show there are no hard feelings after their penalty anticsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Youssef En-Nesyri hit two goals of his own to level it up at 2-2 on the night before Dortmund clung on.
Haaland was caught on camera taking his revenge on Bono by yelling “unlucky!” in the Sevilla keeper’s face when he tucked home his second spot-kick attempt.
That strike made it 20 Champions League goals in record time, with the Norwegian taking 14 matches – ten games quicker than second-placed Harry Kane.
With Dortmund 1-0 up through Haaland’s opener, the spot of drama began when referee Cuneyt Cakir ruled out a second effort by the Norway superstar for a foul.

But Cakir spotted a push on Haaland in the build-up and so awarded a penalty.
Bounou saved it and lapped up the moment by celebrating in the Manchester United target’s face.
Sevilla continued play but Cakir called it back after deciding Bounou had stepped off his line for the spot-kick.
This time Haaland netted his penalty – and stooped down to roar in the face of Bono as the crestfallen stopper climbed off the floor.

That action split social media, some fans saying football needs “characters” like Haaland while others claimed it was bad sportsmanship.
Haaland and Bono made it up at the end, swapping fist-bumps and smiles.
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But Twitter was still divided, one fan calling Haaland’s antics “nonsense”.
And the best response was music to Haaland’s ears, with a reference to two members of rock band U2.
That came from this armchair pop: “He certainly got the Edge over Bono.”

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