Erling’s back with a bang for Borussia
Erling Haaland marked his comeback in stunning fashion with a second-half double to send Borussia Dortmund to the top of the Bundesliga table.
The Norwegian, still just 21, is the most in-demand striker in world football and proved exactly why with another clinical display.
Marco Reus got Borussia f lying when he turned in Thomas Meunier’s deflected cross from 16 yards after only two minutes.
The German international had a free-kick cleared off the line as Dortmund took command but Mainz held out until the 55th minute, when Haaland won and converted a penalty after a VAR review for handball against Silvan Widmer.
Mainz sub Jon Burkardt pulled one back after a poor clearance from Gregor Kobel but it was finished in injury time when Haaland rattled his 49th Bundesliga goal in as many games.
Freiburg’s housewarming party saw them remain the only unbeaten team in the Bundesliga this season as they fought back to snatch a 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig.
Fans were in full voice at the brand new 34, 700 seater Europa-Park Stadium but the hosts were behind in 32 minutes when Philipp Lienhart was brought down by Christopher Nkunku in the box and Emil Forsberg tucked the penalty away.
But, determined not to lose the first game in their new home, Freiburg pressed forward after the break and
their efforts were rewarded when Vincenzo Grifo picked out Wooyeong Jeong to score.
In Italy, Simone Inzaghi was handed a warm welcome back by Lazio fans as his Inter Mi lan side crashed to a 3-1 defeat.
Ultras held up a banner that read “22 years with our colours cannot be forgotten. Thank you, Simone” on his first trip back to his old club.
The champions took the lead from the spot when Elseid Hysaj crashed into Nicolo Barella and Ivan Perisic tucked away.
Lazio seemed to lack any real threat until a corner hit Alessandro Bastoni on the hand and Ciro Immobile fired in the penalty.
There was controversy when Federico Dimarco went down injured after running into the back of a Lazio player – but the game rolled on and Felipe Anderson made it 2-1 to the Romans.
A melee broke out with multiple bookings following before Sergej MilinkovicSavic nodded in the third .
Another brawl almost broke out after the whistle with Luiz Felipe sent off in floods of tears, seemingly for ‘mocking’ friend and exteam-mate Joaquin Correa.