BERLIN: Erling Haaland's winning goal in Manchester City's Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund may not have been one of his best performances, but it ranks among the sport's most creative scores.
His 13th goal for the City in nine games shocked everyone, not only his former Dortmund teammates who he departed 122 days ago.
German media created headlines expressing the greatest appreciation, and Dortmund coach Edin Terzic assumed that "not many players kick the ball at a similar height."
It is said that the Spanish publication Diario AS witnessed a "goal going around the world." German television claimed the 22-year-old could quickly paint a flat's ceilings on foot.
Former Norwegian international Jan Aage Fjortoft described a "Zlatan-like masterpiece" that was reminiscent of comparable artistic endeavours made by Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Who is creating the screenplays for this guy, asked the British media? When Joao Cancelo's deft cross landed near Haaland in the Dortmund area in the 84th minute, the Norwegian goal-machine raised his foot up toward the crossbar and hammered the ball in.
After Haaland secured a 2-1 victory, a visibly amused Pep Guardiola exclaimed, "What a player."
"I'm reminded of Johan Cruyff by this. Long ago, he accomplished a similar feat. You are aware of what he meant to me, "said the Manchester City head coach.
Guardiola learned the art of scoring from Dutch legend Cruyff, who used his heel to score for Barcelona against Atletico in 1973.
Haaland responded to the comments with his customary coolness by disclosing "I exercise those kinds of things. My responsibility is to score goals." Before tugging the leg of teammate John Stones, who had just scored an equaliser with a strong shot, Haaland bragged about his long legs and superior jumping abilities as well as one of his best goals.
During an interview with Stones, Haaland replied, "Well, my objective was a little bit prettier than yours," with a cheeky smile on his face. Jude Bellingham's dreams must have been anticipated by his encounter with the former comrade.
"I'll be honest; I anticipated that he would do that and succeed. He doesn't require much room; if you give him a yard, he can accomplish it "explained the midfielder for the Black and Yellow.
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