"Giant from the cold": Haaland breaks record after record - "Will mark a new era"

A goal-getter who is headed from record to record and is also involved in curious dialogues—Borussia Dortmund headed to the Champions League's quarterfinals for the first time since 2017. It was a spectacle even without the fans. Even minutes after the 2-2 against Sevilla ended, both parties still appeared to be on fire. 

Thanks to Erling Haaland, BVB's head coach Edin Terzic was spared a major disappointment. "When I was a little boy, I dreamed of getting old working in football," Terzic said after the game. "Now I have the feeling that football is making me old." The 20-year-old striker once again underlined his reputation as a force of nature and was labeled as a "giant from the cold" by Spanish media. His two goals against Sevilla (35' & 54' via penalty) mean he has now scored 20 goals in 14 Champions League games. 

Haaland needed ten games less than the previous record-holder Harry Kane (Tottenham). The Norwegian also becomes the first player to score a brace in four Champions League games in a row. And the 20-year-old is now the youngest player to have scored 20 goals in the Champions League. Kylian Mbappé's previous record is now gone. Ole Gunnar Solskjær has also lost his record; he is no longer the top Norwegian scorer in the competition. But then came Haaland (47th goal in his 47th BVB game), who has scored more often than any other player ahead of his 21st birthday. As a result, Borussia Dortmund have now scored 34 games in a row—a new record for the Black and Yellows.

"Erl is unbelievable," Terzic said after the game. "We are proud that he has continued his record in our shirt." Even the opposing coach was full of praise. "One player decided the game; he will mark a new era; I am sure of that," Julen Lopetegui said after his team conceded not just two goals from the Champions League top scorer in the second leg but also were on the receiving end of a brace three weeks ago when Sevilla lost 2-3 at home. 

Haaland wanted across Europe - Sporting director Zorc has no plans to sell

The Man of the Match's imposing performance has further fuelled speculations that Haaland, who is under contract until 2024, could leave Borussia Dortmund in the summer. "We could play that game every time, but we don't have to," sporting director Michael Zorc said, somewhat annoyed to Sky when asked about Haaland's future. "We have a clear position and have underlined that position many times; we are planning with him [for next season]."

Haaland now 1st The most successful Norwegians in the Champions League“ To the ranking

Not just Haaland but referee Cüneyt Cakir also had his hands in what was an entertaining match. The referee added another curiosity in the short VAR history. The referee chalked off Haaland's second goal and instead gave a penalty for a foul committed on the Norwegian three minutes earlier. Bono then stopped the first penalty but had moved off his line too early. Haaland received a second chance and scored. "I was a little nervous," Haaland said about the second penalty.

A heated conversation with goalkeeper Bono further fueled the nerves. “When he was screaming in my face after the first one, I was thinking: 'it will be even better to score another goal.' And that’s what happened, so it was nice," Haaland said with a smile on his face. Haaland's comments to the keeper then caused some heated moments and meant a yellow card for the Norwegian striker. “I don’t want to say. I don’t know what it means, but I said what he said after I missed the first one. Maybe it’s karma in this world." Breaking record after record, Haaland always seems to have the right answer for every challenge.