Champions League: Pep Guardiola comments on Erling Haaland's hat-trick

The Norwegian striker scored the opening goal with a beautiful first-time shot in seven minutes and added another goal with a tap-in just after the half-hour mark to put the home team up 2-0.

City kept pressing and scored the third goal six minutes before halftime when David Khocholava scored an own goal. Haaland was lurking close by, looking for his second hat trick in four days.

With his two goals against Copenhagen, Haaland now has an astounding 19 for the season in just 12 games.

Haaland was taken out of the game at halftime since his work was done, but City maintained their dominance, and Riyad Mahrez scored a superb penalty on his 200th appearance for the club.

Later, with 14 minutes to go, Julian Alvarez made it five when he finished with an excellent team move.

After this win, Pep Guardiola's team is undefeated in Group G. With six points, Borussia Dortmund is in second place, followed by FC Copenhagen and Sevilla FC, both of which have just one.

Pep Guardiola opens up on Manchester City's performance

"Erling Haaland just wants to win the game; hat-tricks are not everything," Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said. "We need to have everyone involved. I know the problems we have now - Kyle Walker is out for a long while - but we can rely on players off the bench like Rico Lewis, even though he is only 17."

Without former Liverpool academy goalkeeper Kamil Grabara, Haaland would have had a hat trick in the first half, and City might have been on track for a record win, given the number of shots they took in the first half.

Teammate Jack Grealish was also stunned by Haaland and ended up discussing it with the goalie.

"It's unbelievable, honestly. I've never witnessed anything like it in my life. For the first and second goals, I was laughing. He is always there," he said.

"The keeper said something to me as I was walking back. He said 'he's not human!' I said 'you're telling me?' Hopefully, he can carry on this form and take us to glory."

The City will face Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday before travelling to FC Copenhagen on Tuesday.

It is reasonable to suppose that Southampton's defenders are apprehensive about meeting the 22-year-old Norway international this weekend in the Premier League.

Haaland made his imprint in just 45 minutes, bringing his total to 19 goals in just 12 appearances since joining the Citizens.

Since failing to score or assist for Borussia Dortmund against City in April 2021, Haaland has contributed to 35 goals and six assists in his past 23 home club games.

His brace gave him 28 goals in his 22 Champions League appearances for Salzburg, Dortmund, and City.

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