Haaland Breaks Champions League Record with 50 Goals in Just 49 Matches
Haaland Breaks Champions League Record with 50 Goals in Just 49 Matches — Erling Haaland has etched his name into UEFA Champions League history after becoming the fastest player to reach 50 goals in the competition.
The Norwegian striker reached the milestone in just 49 appearances, surpassing the previous record held by Ruud van Nistelrooy, who needed 62 matches to hit the half-century mark.
Haaland’s record-breaking moment came during Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over Napoli at the Etihad Stadium.
The breakthrough came in the 56th minute, when Phil Foden floated a precise lofted pass into the box, which Haaland met with a powerful header into the bottom corner — a signature finish from the prolific forward.
City doubled their advantage just ten minutes later through Jeremy Doku, who produced a moment of brilliance.
The Belgian winger cut inside from the left, danced past defenders and rifled a low shot beyond Vanja Milinković-Savić to seal all three points for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Napoli’s challenge was made significantly harder in the first half after Giovanni Di Lorenzo received a straight red card for denying Haaland a clear goalscoring opportunity.
The dismissal forced manager Antonio Conte to make early tactical adjustments, which muted what had been an emotionally charged evening, particularly for Kevin De Bruyne, who was making a return to his former club.
ALSO READ: Teen Arrested in Russia After Dressing as Elderly Woman to Plant Car B0mb
The Belgian, who rejoined Manchester City on a free transfer during the summer, was warmly welcomed by the home crowd as he came on — and later exited — the pitch.
City had looked threatening throughout, with Tijjani Reijnders and Rodri both testing Milinković-Savić, while Josko Gvardiol came close with a curling strike that drifted narrowly wide. Reijnders also saw a clever backwards header land just off target.
Ultimately, it was Haaland’s historic goal and Doku’s fine solo finish that proved decisive, handing the defending champions an ideal start to their European campaign.
Manchester City now shift their focus to domestic competition, with a crucial Premier League fixture against Arsenal looming on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium — a match that could have major implications for the title race.
