Erling Haaland Hits 50 Champions League Goals as Manchester City Beat Napoli 2-0

Erling Haaland marked a major milestone on September 18, 2025, scoring his 50th UEFA Champions League goal as he secured a 2-0 victory over in their 2025/26 Champions League opener at the. The match took a decisive turn early when Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo received a red card in the 21st minute, leaving his side down to ten players for most of the game. Haaland’s goal not only secured the lead but also highlighted his incredible efficiency in Europe, reaching 50 goals in just 49 appearances.

Early Setback for Napoli

Napoli began the match with determination, showing resilience despite the early setback. Former Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne made an emotional return to the Etihad Stadium playing for Napoli, only to be forced off after just 26 minutes following Di Lorenzo’s dismissal. The red card left Napoli a man down and disrupted their game plan, making it difficult to compete against City’s relentless pressing and fluid attacking style.

Manchester City Capitalise

City took full advantage of their numerical superiority. Their breakthrough came in the 52nd minute when Haaland converted a precise assist from Phil Foden. The goal not only marked Haaland’s record milestone but also demonstrated City’s attacking fluidity. Foden was outstanding throughout the game, creating eight chances and consistently unlocking Napoli’s defence. His vision and passing earned him the Player of the Match award, and his assist for Haaland’s historic goal showcased his creative impact on the pitch.

Second Goal Seals the Win

The scoring was wrapped up in the 65th minute when Jeremy Doku doubled Manchester City’s lead with a clinical finish. This goal effectively put the match beyond Napoli’s reach, allowing City to maintain control and frustrate their opponents despite the Italian side’s efforts to fight back. Tactical discipline, physical intensity, and attacking creativity combined to give City a comfortable victory and a strong start to their Champions League campaign.

A Promising Start for City and Haaland

Haaland’s 50th Champions League goal underlines his status as one of the competition’s greatest goal scorers. For Manchester City, this win sets a confident tone for the season and reinforces their ambitions in Europe. Napoli, meanwhile, faced a tough challenge without their captain, and De Bruyne’s brief appearance added an emotional subplot but ultimately could not change the outcome. As Manchester City look ahead in the tournament, the team will hope to build on this commanding display, with Haaland continuing his remarkable scoring run.