Haaland sets record, Man City beats Dortmund 4-1 at Etihad
Haaland scored in the 29th minute from Jeremy Doku, Man City beat Dortmund 4-1; a record of 5 consecutive matches scoring for 3 clubs in the Champions League was set.
In the 29th minute at Etihad on the morning of November 6, from Jeremy Doku's run and cross, Erling Haaland touched the ball neatly, unlocked the game and opened a historical milestone. Manchester City defeated Borussia Dortmund 4-1, and Haaland became the first player to score in 5 consecutive Champions League matches for 3 different clubs.
The moment that defined an era
The goal against Dortmund continues a scoring streak that began last season against Real Madrid, then Napoli, Monaco, Villarreal and now Dortmund. Previously, Haaland had a similar streak at Red Bull Salzburg (2019/20) and Borussia Dortmund (2020/21). No Ronaldo, no Messi – no one has ever done this in the Champions League.
Performance and stability of a machine
At 25, Haaland is operating like a typical striker in top football. The goal against Dortmund was his 18th of the season, after only 14 matches in all competitions. If you count assists, the Norwegian striker has directly participated in 30 goals. Since the beginning of the season, he has only gone 2 matches without scoring.
The stability comes from his dual role in Pep Guardiola’s system: the final destination of combinations and the first pressing point. With his 1.94m stature, explosive speed and ability to choose positions like “programming”, Haaland keeps opposing defenses in a constant state of alert.
Man City accelerates, Foden explodes from the second line
The victory helped Man City extend their unbeaten run in the League Phase Champions League (3 wins, 1 draw), rising to 4th place with 10 points. Besides Haaland's efficiency, Phil Foden left a strong impression with a double from long range, bringing the total number of goals from outside the box to 10 since the beginning of the season - the most of any Premier League player.
Dortmund paid the price before the "old man"
Dortmund’s impressive run came to an end and they dropped to 14th place. They knew all too well about Haaland’s movement and ability to score, but were unable to neutralize him when City stepped up their game. The game became a reminder of the Norwegian’s influence as he stretched his limits at Dortmund.
Tactical perspective: Haaland's central role
City have built up a series of plans to get the ball into the 18-yard area, but the key point is still Haaland’s cut-off in the inner lane. The 29th-minute move sums up the idea: Doku stretches the flank and plays with speed, while Haaland dominates the space before finishing with one touch. When City need to apply pressure immediately after losing the ball, Haaland is also the one who triggers the pressing, forcing Dortmund to pass incorrectly or play long.
Influence beyond club level
Not only has Haaland flourished at club level, he has also brought Norway closer to their first World Cup dream since 1998, with 9 goals in the last 3 matches. Every touch of the ball carries a very high probability of a goal, reinforcing the image of an instinctive killer.
Selected statistics
| Category | Numbers/Details |
|---|---|
| Champions League record | Scored 5 consecutive matches for 3 different clubs |
| Recent UCL matches | Real Madrid, Napoli, Monaco, Villarreal, Dortmund |
| Current season | 18 goals in 14 matches; 30 goals (including assists) |
| Salzburg (2019/20) | 8 goals in the first 5 matches in the Champions League |
| Dortmund (2020/21) | 15 goals in 13 Champions League games |
| Man City in League Phase | 3 wins, 1 draw; 10 points; 4th place |
| Phil Foden | 10 goals from outside the box since the start of the season |
| Norway 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 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 win over Dortmund was just another night for Man City, but it was another milestone in the era of the “goal machine” that is Erling Haaland.
