Since his arrival at Manchester City in 2022, Erling Haaland has become a symbol of goalscoring prowess and a driving force behind the club’s quest for glory.
In his debut year in England, the Norwegian shattered the Premier League’s single-season goalscoring record as City clinched a momentous treble. He spearheaded City’s attack once again this term as they secured an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title.
However, despite these remarkable achievements, there’s one glaring issue in Haaland’s illustrious career so far; he has often been unable to make his mark in cup finals.
90min takes a look at the 23-year-old’s performances in six showdowns for City.
Haaland netted a handful of goals in the build-up to this year’s FA Cup final / Marc Atkins/GettyImages
Haaland made one significant contribution in the lead-up to this year’s FA Cup final against Manchester United, notably scoring five goals in City’s impressive 6-2 victory against Luton Town in the fifth round.
His goalscoring momentum halted in the quarter-final against Newcastle, where he failed to find the back of the net in 87 minutes of action during City’s 2-0 win, and he was sidelined with an injury for the narrow triumph over Chelsea in the semi-final.
Considering these circumstances, it’s perhaps understandable why Haaland failed to get on the scoresheet against United on Saturday, with Pep Guardiola’s side falling to a disappointing 2-1 defeat.
Man City 1-1 Sevilla (5-4p) – UEFA Super Cup (16 August 2023)
The Norwegian was unable score in normal time in City’s UEFA Super Cup clash with Sevilla / Claudio Villa/GettyImages
City secured their maiden UEFA Super Cup title by edging past Sevilla 5-4 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus.
Youssef En-Nesyri opened the scoring for Sevilla with a header before current Chelsea starboy Cole Palmer nodded in to restore parity.
While Haaland didn’t find the net during regular time – the forward desperately unable to get his boot onto some teasing crosses – he did score in the penalty shootout as City emerged victorious.
Haaland was largely stifled in the Community Shield by William Saliba / Nigel French/Allstar/GettyImages
Haaland played just 64 minutes of City’s clash against Arsenal in the Community Shield last summer, the Gunners winning 4-3 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in normal time.
The Norwegian had a subdued game, with opposite number Kai Havertz receiving more opportunities at the other end of the pitch.
Interestingly, City scored not long after Haaland was brought off when Palmer beautifully picked out the far corner.
Man City 1-0 Inter – Champions League (10 June 2023)
The forward blanked in his final three games of City’s Champions League campaign last year / BSR Agency/GettyImages
City’s enduring pursuit of Champions League glory finally ended in a 1-0 triumph against Serie A giants Inter in Istanbul last year.
Following their Premier League and FA Cup victories, the Cityzens replicated United’s historic 1999 treble thanks to Rodri’s 68th-minute strike.
Haaland ended the Champions League campaign with 12 goals to his name but did not score in any of his final three appearances, his longest ever run of games in the competition without a goal.
Haaland put a shift in against Man Utd in the 2023 FA Cup final / James Gill – Danehouse/GettyImages
In the first-ever all-Manchester final, a sublime Ilkay Gundogan brace saw City win the trophy over Erik ten Hag’s United.
Although Haaland didn’t register a goal or an assist in this contest, he showcased astute play, effectively holding up the ball and selflessly distributing it to his teammates.
Liverpool 3-1 Man City – Community Shield (30 July 2022)
The multi-million pound signing from Borussia Dortmund had a game to forget against Liverpool in 2022 / Harriet Lander/Copa/GettyImages
Darwin Nunez stole the limelight as Liverpool defeated City in a thrilling Community Shield encounter two seasons ago.
Played at the King Power Stadium rather than Wembley, the Reds won 3-1 with goals scored by Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Nunez.
Signed from Borussia Dortmund earlier in the summer for over £50m, Haaland had a first game to forget as he missed several opportunities. The Norwegian’s showing was also overshadowed by fellow debutant Julian Alvarez, the Argentine coming on as a substitute and poking in City’s solitary goal.
Haaland had just 16 touches in his 97 minutes on the pitch, completing seven of just nine passes he attempted in the game.
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