Erling Haaland stars in Champions League win and claims

Erling Haaland scored both goals in Manchester City's 2-0 Champions League victory away to Porto on Tuesday, September 9, 2026. The Norwegian striker also claimed Porto midfielder Pablo Rosario grabbed his bottom during a late altercation in the match.

How did Haaland perform in the Champions League opener?

Haaland broke the deadlock just two minutes after half-time with a header from an Enzo Fernandez cross. He sealed the three points for Enzo Maresca's side in stoppage time. The brace maintained his astonishing scoring rate in the competition, bringing his total to 59 goals in 59 Champions League appearances. After the match, Fernandez praised his teammate, calling Haaland "an animal" and "a beast." The striker revealed his first goal came from recent practice, telling Norway's TV 2, "Two days ago I was practising headers with my dad in the garden." He said he has worked hard to make heading a real strength. City's win was part of a successful opening night for the competition, which also saw Real Madrid, Aston Villa, and Borussia Dortmund secure victories. You can track City's progress in Europe on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page.

What was the controversial incident with Pablo Rosario?

The match ended with a flashpoint in the 92nd minute. Haaland and Porto's Pablo Rosario grappled and went to ground, with both players receiving yellow cards after being separated. Haaland later claimed the midfielder had grabbed him inappropriately. "It was a little interesting, that, you’ll be seeing a picture where he’s grabbing my bottom," Haaland said. He suggested Rosario was overly eager to stop him from completing a hat-trick. The incident followed a niggly first half that saw a tunnel bust-up involving players and staff, with City defender Rúben Dias also involved in a separate confrontation with Porto's coach.

Can Haaland break Cristiano Ronaldo's Champions League record?

With his latest double, the debate over whether Haaland can catch Cristiano Ronaldo's all-time record of 140 Champions League goals has intensified. At 26, Haaland has the best goals-per-game ratio of any notable player in the competition's history. His main rival in the race appears to be Kylian Mbappe, who scored for Real Madrid on Tuesday to reach 71 career goals in the tournament. Harry Kane, with 54 goals, is considered too old at 33 to realistically challenge. His physical condition will be key, and he has already acknowledged the need for a break from the relentless schedule.

Is Haaland now the Premier League's sole global superstar?

A wider narrative emerging this season positions Haaland as the undisputed top star in English football. Following the summer departures of Mohamed Salah and Son Heung-min, the 26-year-old Norwegian stands alone as the league's premier attraction. His social media presence shows his massive global reach. This shift comes at a time when the Premier League also lacks its previous cadre of iconic managers like Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp. Some are questioning if the league's appeal is dimming, but Haaland's sheer star power provides a compelling counter-argument. He is the only player from the World Cup's elite group, which included Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, currently plying his trade in England.

• Haaland scored twice in Manchester City's 2-0 Champions League win at Porto on September 9.
• He now has 59 goals in 59 games in the Champions League, the best ratio of any major scorer.
• The striker claimed Porto's Pablo Rosario grabbed his bottom during a late altercation.
• Haaland is viewed as the Premier League's last remaining global superstar after a summer of high-profile exits.