Erling Haaland said Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick for Paris Saint-Germain against Barcelona on Tuesday gave Borussia Dortmund striker “motivation” in Wednesday’s 3-2 victory over Sevilla FC.
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The 20-year-old Norwegian striker scored twice at Sevilla and is second only to Mbappe as the player with the most goals in the Champions League before turning 21, with 18 goals in 13 matches. Mbappe, 22, scored 19 goals before turning 21.
Mbappe ruined Barcelona in Tuesday’s 4-1 win with a three-goal display, which Haaland pointed out as a source of motivation.
“When I saw Mbappe do the hat-trick, I was motivated, so thanks to him,” said Haaland after the game. “He scored some beautiful goals and I got a free boost from him, so it was good.”
Sevilla took the lead with Suso, but Mahmoud Dahoud equalized on 19 minutes. Haaland put Dortmund ahead in the 27th minute from inside the area, after a beautiful pass exchange with Jadon Sancho, and increased the advantage in the 43rd, from close range, after a quick escape. Luuk de Jong scored a goal at the end of Sevilla.
“We had a good plan, ” said Haaland.”[Borussia manager] Edin [Terzic] it’s been good and I’ve been talking to him a lot. He said that today would be my game and that I would have my chances and I got it, so it was an important victory.
“It was not good to leave two goals, but it is good to score three goals away and take them with us. ”
Like Mbappe, Haaland is linked to a transfer to Real Madrid, among other clubs. When asked what he thinks about the Spanish club, Haaland countered, saying “it is good to be wanted”.
Regarding rumors of a possible departure from PSG, Mbappe said after the Barcelona game: “I have always said that I am happy here. This type of game makes me even happier. The PSG shirt is one of the ones I have at heart.”