Haaland Ends Goal Drought, Boosts Manchester City’s Champions League Dominance

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In what stood as a peculiar aspect of Manchester City’s highly successful journey in European competitions, their key striker – Erling Haaland, found himself experiencing an unsettling goal drought.

Despite not scoring in five previous Champions League matches, stretching all the way back to last season, Haaland broke his drought with a strong performance during City’s 3-1 win over Young Boys on a rain-soaked Wednesday evening in Bern. After falling behind to Meschack Elia’s excellent chip, the prized forward hit the mark, much to the relief of his colleagues.


Previously, Manchester City had established themselves as formidable competitors in the Champions League. Now, with their star player back on the scoring track, they have become a force to be reckoned with.

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, recently voiced his belief that people seem to be waiting expectantly for Haaland, the Norwegian prodigy, to stop producing goals. This observation follows a stellar debut season where Haaland secured 52 goals in 53 matches, catapulting City to a treble victory, which included their first ever Champions League title.

Post his remarkable debut season, Haaland’s scoring took a brief halt, particularly in the Group G matches against Red Star Belgrade and RB Leipzig. Coinciding with the absence of significant players like Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan due to injuries and transfers respectively, this periodic dip in form seemed to frustrate the Norwegian striker.

However, luck struck in the 67th minute in Bern, when Rodri was fouled inside the box. Seizing the opportunity, Haaland drove the ball home with a powerful penalty, appearing to have regained his familiar scoring prowess. Guardiola maintained his faith in Haaland, declaring after the match, “He will score goals all his life. He is an incredible threat.”

Securing this penalty was a significant moment for Haaland, marking his first Champions League goal in 543 minutes, since putting City 4 goals ahead in their second leg quarterfinal match against Bayern Munich last season. Despite a minor dip in his scoring frequency, his statistics remain impressively high, further elevated in the 86th minute when he scored a decisively brilliant goal.

At 23 years and 96 days old, Haaland holds the title of the youngest player to have scored as many as 37 goals in 33 Champions League games. He eclipses the record previously held by Kylian Mbappe, truly showcasing the exceptionally high standard he has set for himself.

Consecutive victories in five Champions League games, thanks to Haaland, has pushed Manchester City to their longest winning streak in the tournament since May 2021. Under Guardiola’s leadership, they remain unbeaten in their last 16 games.

With Haaland on a renewed goal-scoring path, it seems unlikely there will be an end in sight for their current records.