Man City’s goal-scoring machine, Erling Haaland, has broken and set a new record after notching his fiftieth (50) Champions League goal.

He snatched the spot of fastest player to reach 50 UEFA Champions League goals from the legendary Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who achieved the milestone in 62 appearances. However, in Haaland’s case, he has achieved it in 42 appearances, covering van Nistelrooy’s record by a stunning 13-match margin.

He notched the fiftieth UEFA goal after lofting a header following an assist from Phil Foden in the fifty-sixth minute during Man City’s clash with Napoli yesterday, Thursday, September 18.

As expected earlier, Pep Guardiola’s men dominated in the first minutes, but Napoli kept a good defensive shape, coupled with their keeper Milinković-Savić’s stunning keeping skills in making some significant saves.

Unfortunately, at the twentieth minute, Napoli lost a man, captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, after being sent off for a last-man foul on Haaland. Referee Felix Zwayer initially waved play on, but VAR intervened and the red card was confirmed.

Following their skipper's dismissal from the field, Napoli's coach, Antonio Conte, substituted Kevin De Bruyne, a former City player who was making an emotional return to Etihad Stadium, playing his immediate past teammates in the 26th minute to reinforce their defence with Mathías Olivera.

City pressed hard, with Rodri, Reijnders, and Gvardiol testing Napoli keeper Vanja Milinković-Savić, who made several key saves between the 33rd -42 minutes; however, they notched no goal until the first half was over.

However, just eleven minutes into the second half, City found the back of the net when Haaland scored. Napoli could barely sink it in when Jeremy Doku Doku swerved three of their defenders and curled a low shot into the bottom corner, sealing the win.

City controlled the tempo, with 70% possession and 23 shots, while Napoli managed just one attempt and 30% possession.

Man City also had a stunning game on Sunday in a clash against Man Utd.

Kevin De Bruyne's last days at Man City

News of De Bruyne’s departure from Man City began in late 2023 and early 2024 when speculations began swelling about him being on Saudi Arabia’s wishlist alongside Liverpool’s Salah and Man Utd’s Fernandes. Pep Guardiola, in response, rebuffed claims saying De Bryne is going nowhere.

However, some months later, it emerged that he expressed his uncertainty about his participation in the Club World Cup at the time over fears of sustaining an injury. The attacking midfielder, whose contract was set to expire by the end of the season, left as a free agent.

Speaking in an interview during a discussion about his potential participation in the Club World Cup, Kevin said: "I think in a way I have to take care of myself because if I get injured in the Club World Cup, what am I going to do?"

"Nobody's going to take care of me at that point. So there's a big chance probably I won't play it, but I don't know, maybe yes."

With two games left to go this season, he said he had to consider what is best for his own career as he prepares for his next move.

"I have to take care of my family. I've got three kids and my wife; it's not an easy process at this time," he said.

However, his uncertainty about missing the Club World Cup has left a slim chance of his participation.

Many believed he could sign a short-term extension that would allow him to play in the newly expanded tournament in June and July.

The timing of the Club World Cup, which was expanded from seven teams to 32, has led to FIFA introducing a short-term transfer window to enable players whose contracts expire on June 30 to move to clubs participating in the tournament.

It also allows players like De Bruyne to sign short-term deals purely to take part before moving on as free agents.

But that brings with it the risk of him suffering a serious injury that would jeopardise a future transfer.

Kevin De Bruyne had an outstanding career at Manchester City, distinguishing himself as one of the best midfielders in the world.

He joined the club in 2015, and since then, he has won 6 Premier League titles, a Champions League, and multiple domestic trophies. Following his injury return in the 2024/25 season, De Bruyne made a total of 38 appearances across all competitions, scoring 6 goals and providing 8 assists.

He also scored 4 goals in the Premier League and assisted 7. However, he scored no goals in the Champions League after 7 matches.

In the FA Cup, he played four games and scored two goals.

After fourteen years with Man City, the 33-year-old is now considering his options but says there has been uncertainty over whether City wants him to be part of its squad for the Club World Cup in the United States.

Meanwhile, City at the time didn’t have the best season, as they gave up their Premier League title this season after four consecutive wins. De Bruyne said, though,

"This year has just not gone the way we wanted it to. You have to accept it. You have to move on and work hard and go again," De Bruyne said.

"It's alright. This doesn't change anything that's happened in the past 10 years." De Bruyne said he has yet to decide on his next move and whether he would look to join another Premier League team".