Haaland sets record as Man City beat Dortmund 4-1 at Etihad.
Haaland scored in the 29th minute from a Jeremy Doku pass, as Man City beat Dortmund 4-1; a record of scoring in 5 consecutive matches for 3 different clubs in the Champions League was set.
In the 29th minute at the Etihad Stadium on the morning of November 6th, following a run and cross from Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland neatly controlled the ball, unlocking the game and setting a historic milestone. Manchester City defeated Borussia Dortmund 4-1, and Haaland became the first player to score in five consecutive Champions League matches for three different clubs.
A defining moment for an era.
The goal against Dortmund extended his scoring streak, which began last season against Real Madrid, then Napoli, Monaco, Villarreal, and now Dortmund. Previously, Haaland had similar runs at Red Bull Salzburg (2019/20) and Borussia Dortmund (2020/21). Without Ronaldo, without Messi – no one has ever achieved this in the Champions League.
Performance and stability of a machine
At 25 years old, Haaland is performing like a model striker in top-level football. His goal against Dortmund was his 18th of the season, in just 14 games across all competitions. Including assists, the Norwegian striker has been directly involved in 30 goals. Since the start of the season, he has only gone two games without scoring.
Haaland's stability stems from his dual role in Pep Guardiola's system: the final destination of passing combinations and the first line of attack. With his 1.94m height, explosive speed, and almost programmed positioning, Haaland keeps opposing defenses on constant alert.
Man City accelerate, Foden explodes from the second line.
The victory extended Man City's unbeaten run in the Champions League League Phase (3 wins, 1 draw), moving them up to 4th place with 10 points. Besides Haaland's effectiveness, Phil Foden made a strong impression with a brace of long-range goals, bringing his total from outside the box to 10 since the start of the season – the most of any Premier League player.
Dortmund pays the price for their "former player"
Dortmund's impressive run came to an end, and they dropped to 14th place. They were well aware of Haaland's movement and finishing ability, but still couldn't neutralize him when City accelerated. The match served as a reminder of the Norwegian number 9's influence as he surpassed all previous limits at Dortmund.
Tactical perspective: Haaland's central role
City employed various strategies to get the ball into the penalty area, but the key remained Haaland's cutting edge on the inside flank. The play in the 29th minute perfectly encapsulated this idea: Doku stretched the wing and used his speed, while Haaland dominated the space before finishing with a one-touch shot. When City needed to apply pressure immediately after losing possession, Haaland also initiated the pressing, forcing Dortmund to make inaccurate passes or play long balls.
Its influence extends beyond the club level.
Not only is Haaland thriving at club level, but he's also brought Norway closer to their first World Cup dream since 1998, scoring 9 goals in their last 3 matches. Every touch of the ball carries a very high probability of a goal, reinforcing his image as an instinctive goalscorer.
Selective statistics
| Category | Number/Details |
|---|---|
| Champions League record | Scored in 5 consecutive matches for 3 different clubs. |
| recent matches in the UCL | Real Madrid, Napoli, Monaco, Villarreal, Dortmund |
| Current season | 18 goals in 14 matches; involved in 30 goals (including assists) |
| Salzburg (2019/20) | 8 goals in the first 5 Champions League matches |
| Dortmund (2020/21) | 15 goals in 13 Champions League matches |
| Man City in League Phase | 3 wins, 1 draw; 10 points; ranked 4th |
| Phil Foden | 10 goals from outside the penalty area since the start of the season. |
| Norway national team | 9 goals in the last 3 matches |
Connecting the present with history
As the standards once set by icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi gradually fade into the past, Haaland is writing a new chapter in the Champions League with his combination of speed, power, and efficiency. The 4-1 victory against Dortmund was just another ordinary night for Man City, but it marked another milestone in the era of the "goal-scoring machine" named Erling Haaland.
