Erling Haaland has become the fastest player in history to reach 50 Champions League goals, hitting the milestone in just 49 appearances during Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Napoli at the Etihad Stadium.
The Norwegian striker surpassed Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of 62 matches when he opened the scoring with a towering 56th-minute header from Phil Foden’s lofted pass. Jeremy Doku doubled City’s advantage ten minutes later, driving into the box before finishing confidently past Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
Napoli’s hopes were already dented after captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo was sent off in the first half for denying Haaland a clear goalscoring chance, forcing manager Antonio Conte into a defensive reshuffle.
The night also marked an emotional return for Kevin De Bruyne, who rejoined City on a free transfer in the summer and received a warm ovation from the home crowd.
City had threatened throughout, with Tijjani Reijnders, Rodri and Josko Gvardiol all going close before Haaland’s breakthrough.
The victory gave Pep Guardiola’s side the perfect start to their European campaign, with attention now turning to Sunday’s Premier League showdown away to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.