Haaland and Sancho eclipse PSG
THERE is a bunch of English clubs scrapping to bring Jadon Sancho to the Premier League this summer — and last night would certainly not have harmed Borussia Dortmund’s bargaining power.
Free-scoring Erling Braut Haaland stole the limelight with a stunning brace to give Dortmund the advantage, but it was the £100million-rated Sancho who shone brighter than Paris Saint- Germain’s cast of stars including Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
In a stadium needing no prompt to crank up the atmosphere, Dortmund’s famous Yellow Wall was treated to an electric display from Sancho, Haaland and their pacy attacking colleagues.
Before the match, Dortmund boss Lucien Favre had admitted he was ‘realistic’ about his side’s chances over two legs, but they were far superior last night, with three-time Champions League winner Keylor Navas needing to be on top form in the first half to deny Sancho, Haaland and Emre Can.
Favre’s team broke through on 68 minutes when long-time Manchester United target Haaland pounced on a rebound to power past Navas.
The lead lasted just seven minutes as Neymar — back from a rib injury — met an Mbappe cross after the Frenchman had danced through a helpless defence. Three minutes later, Norway hitman
Haaland powered his side back in front with a rasping finish into the top corner after being fed by Gio Reyna.
That was his 11th goal in seven games since joining from Red Bull Salzburg — and his 10th in the Champions League this season. Former Liverpool man Can said: ‘Haaland is a great footballer and scores a lot of goals but he’s also a great guy. A little bit crazy!’
It was a typical German performance from Dortmund — efficient and exciting — but it had an English touch. Substitute Reyna, son of former Manchester City star Claudio, was born in Sunderland. He finished the night in a front three with Leeds-born Haaland and Sancho, from London.