Man City torn apart by a “better version” of Erling Haaland in heavy Champions League defeat to Sporting | OneFootball

Manchester United supporters were keen observers as Sporting CP triumphed over their arch-rivals Manchester City with an emphatic 4-1 victory in the Champions League this evening.

Rather than simply enjoying their neighbours’ misfortune in Lisbon, United fans understandably focused on one individual: Rúben Amorim, who is set to take charge at Old Trafford next week, but another figure would have grabbed their attention.

As has often been the case since his arrival, the Primeira Liga champions relied heavily on marksman Viktor Gyökeres, who became only the second Swedish player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League, following in the footsteps of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Before tonight’s match, former Netherlands star Rafael van der Vaart notably referred to him as a “better version of Erling Haaland.” This statement certainly captured attention, and based on this performance, it might lead some to consider the comparison seriously.

Van der Vaart’s statement came after Gyökeres scored a hat-trick against Estrela, bringing his total to 20 goals in 16 appearances across all competitions, with 16 of those coming in league play.

“It sounds a bit crazy, but I think he’s a bit of a better version of Haaland. Haaland is of course incredible, but Gyökeres has a bit more, or something,” he told Ziggo Sport.

City, who flew to Portugal after suffering back-to-back defeats, knew what they were up against, and Gyökeres did not disappoint even after Phil Foden put the visitors in front just four minutes into the match.

The former Coventry City player equalised minutes before half-time before Maximiliano Araújo established Sporting’s lead just seconds into the second half. Just when the English champions were catching their breath, Gyökeres scored again, but from 12 yards, something Erling Haaland could not replicate just after the hour mark with his effort hitting the woodwork.

That moment could have been pivotal if it had been converted, but instead, Sporting took advantage of the situation. They compounded a miserable evening for their opponents with Gyökeres completing his treble from the penalty spot. In doing so, he became the first Sporting CP player to score a hat trick in the European Cup since António Oliveira did it against Dinamo Zagreb in 1982.

Gyökeres has now had a hand in six goals in his four Champions League appearances this season for Sporting CP (five goals, one assist), the joint most by a Sporting player in a single campaign along with Nani — a name familiar to Man Utd fans — in 2014-15 (four goals, two assists).

If that’s not impressive, he’s been directly involved in 13 goals in 13 appearances for Sporting CP in European competition (ten goals, three assists), while scoring in all five of his European starts at the Estádio José Alvalade (seven goals).

AC Milan and Ajax legend Marco van Basten added: “He’s a true footballer, in my opinion. A genuine forward who is strong, scores easily, and remains composed in front of goal. He also has the ability to manoeuvre around the goalkeeper, which makes him a really impressive striker. I genuinely enjoy watching him play.”

Since relocating in the summer of 2023, he’s scored 66 goals in 67 matches for Sporting CP. It remains uncertain whether the 26-year-old will follow Amorim to United. However, the Portuguese coach recently stated that they will not pursue the player during the January transfer window.

“Gyokeres costs €100 million (£83.7 million), which is very difficult. I’m not going to take any Sporting player in January,” he told reporters.

As for City, as touched upon, Pep Guardiola and company just suffered a week from hell. First, Tottenham eliminated them from the EFL Cup, marking their first defeat of the 2024/25 season. Then, Bournemouth ended City’s club record unbeaten run in the Premier League. Now, Sporting has broken City’s unbeaten streak in UEFA Champions League history, setting a new record.

For some perspective, they have lost three consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since doing so between May and August 2021, while in the same season, it’s the first time since April 2018.

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