Erling Braut Haaland helped RB Salzburg hammer the visitors KRC Genk 6-2 as he scored a first-half hat-trick on his UEFA Champions League debut in the group stage opener at Red Bull Arena Salzburg. The 19-year-old scored his third treble of the season and has scored 17 goals in just nine appearances for the Austrian club. The Norwegian scored for a remarkable nine times in a single match as his country thrashed Honduras in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Poland.

Goal Saga

Haaland built a comfortable victory for his club, scoring the first, second, and fourth goals. He scored his opening goal in the 2^nd minute of the game with his right foot as he tucked the ball. The RB Salzburg’s striker scored his second goal on the 34^th minute. On 36^th minute, Hwang Hee-chan scored the third goal for the Austrian side. Haaland ended the half on a better note with his stunning hat-trick on the 45^th minute with a left-wing cross. Dominik Szoboszlai and Andreas Ulmer scored the other two goals for Salzburg. Jhon Lucumi and Mbwana Samatta scored the two goals for Genk.

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All in praise

After the match, Salzburg manager Jesse Marsch didn’t restrain himself, praising the talent of the youngster. He was asked to describe his prime striker in three words but he used four words: “Positive. Energetic. Electric. Or maybe electrifying!” he said. Meanwhile his teammate Max Wober said that he is phenomenal when it comes to football. “With his height, to be so nimble and have such command of the ball. It’s really hard to play against him in training; you just have to foul him. Once again, he proved why he’s definitely going to become one of the best strikers in the world."

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Haaland and the legends

At the age of 19, Haaland has become the third-youngest player to score a champions league hat-trick as Real Madrid legend Raul scored his first hat-trick when he was 18 years and 113 days old in 1995. Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney stays second on the list as scored when he was 18 years 340 days old in 2004.

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