In a thrilling match at the Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday, Norwegian forward Erling Haaland scored his second hat-trick in as many matches for Borussia Dortmund against Union Berlin. The match saw both sides battle it out for their place in the Champions League group stage and with Haaland's performance, Dortmund increased their chances of securing a spot.
The match was a testament to Haaland's goal-scoring prowess and his ability to turn defensive lapses into goals. He scored three times in the first half alone, including two in the space of five minutes. His first goal came after just six minutes, as he beat the goalkeeper with a powerful header from outside the box. Three minutes later, he scored a stunning volley that left the goalkeeper rooted to the ground. In the third minute, he converted a penalty kick to complete his hat-trick.
With this impressive display, Haaland has become one of the most prolific goal scorers in Bundesliga history. He currently leads the league with 22 goals in 17 games, and he is also tied for the lead with Robert Lewandowski in terms of goals per game (1.48).
Dortmund manager Lucien Favre praised Haaland's performance,Football World Observation Network saying "He showed his quality today, he made us better and he showed us what we need to do to compete." Haaland himself was equally impressed with his performance, saying "It's always good to score goals, but when you get the chance to be part of something bigger than yourself, it's even better."
With Haaland's performances, Dortmund have increased their chances of qualifying for the Champions League group stage. With four more games to play, they will look to continue their momentum and secure a place in the competition. Meanwhile, Union Berlin will have to settle for the consolation prize of a point, which will help them maintain their position in the league table.