Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City secured a 2-0 Champions League victory against Porto on Tuesday before opening up on late-game confrontation on the pitch.
The Norway international received a booking late in the second half following a clash with Porto midfielder Pablo Rosario, who Haaland believed was determined to prevent him from scoring a hat-trick.
Speaking to broadcaster TV 2 after the match, Haaland detailed the tussle with the midfielder. "I was really keen on a hat-trick and it seemed like he [Rosario] was very eager to stop me from getting it," Haaland said. "It was a little interesting, that. You'll be seeing a picture where he's grabbing my bottom... it’ll be interesting to see that picture."
Tunnel clash and UEFA disciplinary review
The confrontation on the pitch was not the only incident during a heated encounter in Portugal. Both sets of players had to be separated in the tunnel at half-time, with City reserve goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli understood to have been pushed by Porto officials after the host team grew angry over refereeing decisions.
UEFA’s disciplinary committee is assessing reports submitted by the match delegate and referee Szymon Marciniak to ascertain whether any action is necessary. The punishment for any guilty party is likely to amount to a fine.
UEFA serves as the governing body for European football, managing disciplinary proceedings across all its club competitions. Polish official Szymon Marciniak is an experienced referee who previously officiated the 2022 FIFA World Cup final in Qatar.
Heading practice with Alfie Haaland
Haaland's two goals included a header scored shortly after half-time, continuing a strong run of form in the air. The striker has scored three headed goals in his last three matches, compared to six headers across the entirety of last season.
The forward revealed that his recent aerial success stems from extra training sessions with his father, former professional footballer Alfie Haaland, in the garden of their home in Cheshire. Haaland pinpointed his aerial ability as something to improve after sealing his move to the Etihad Stadium in 2022, treating the sessions like scenes from his childhood.
"Over the years, I’ve worked a lot on my heading," Haaland said. "I’ve improved it massively and it’s become a strength of my game. I think a lot of it comes down to experience."
He added: "Actually, two days ago I was practising headers with my dad in the garden."
Career goal breakdown and club background
Haaland has scored 37 career headed goals in club football, accounting for just over 10 per cent of his overall goal tally. His complete club record stands at 302 goals, made up of 221 with his left foot, 43 with his right foot, 37 with his head, and one with another part of his body.
Manchester City signed Haaland in 2022 after he rose to international prominence in Germany with Borussia Dortmund. City are the reigning English Premier League champions and play their home matches at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester under head coach Pep Guardiola.
His father, Alfie Haaland, enjoyed a professional career in England during the 1990s and 2000s. The former Norwegian international played as a defender and midfielder for Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, and Manchester City.
FC Porto are based in Porto, Portugal, and play their home matches at the Estadio do Dragao. The club is one of the top teams in Portuguese football and won the European Cup in 1987 and the Champions League in 2004.
