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Champions League 2020: Top Scorers After Tuesday's Round-of-16 Results

Matt JonesFeatured ColumnistFebruary 18, 2020

DORTMUND, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 18: Erling Braut Haaland of Borussia Dortmund celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain at Signal Iduna Park on February 18, 2020 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Haaland continued his incredible season on Tuesday, netting twice in a 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League.

Haaland's brace, which included a stunning second goal, was not only enough to give BVB the advantage at the halfway point of their last-16 clash, but it moved the 19-year-old to 10 goals in the Champions League, making him the joint top scorer with Robert Lewandowski.

Neymar's goal means that PSG are still well placed to mount a comeback in the second leg. Meanwhile, holders Liverpool will require another memorable night at Anfield if they are to advance after they lost 1-0 to Atletico Madrid.

Here are the updated top-scorer standings after a dramatic start to the knockout bracket:

  • 10: Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund), Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
  • 6: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
  • 5: Kylian Mbappe (PSG), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Heung-Min Son (Tottenham Hotspur), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Memphis Depay (Lyon), Mauro Icardi (PSG), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)

Full standings available via the BBC website

    

Haaland Hits New Heights for Dortmund

Haaland's performances in the Champions League for Red Bull Salzburg made him a household name for supporters around the world. Now he's close to becoming one of the biggest stars in the sport.

The Norwegian opened the scoring for Dortmund on the night with a typical poacher's finish:

Football on BT Sport @btsportfootball

🔟 goals in 7️⃣ Dortmund games! The machine keeps going 🙌 We're running out of words for Haaland! https://t.co/XouBUmmA0s

When Neymar grabbed an equaliser for PSG, it felt as though momentum was with the visitors to win the game.

However, Haaland produced one of his best goals of the season, thrashing a rising left-footed shot beyond Keylor Navas:

It's to the teenager's credit that he's been able to make such a swift transition to life at Dortmund since January, with the goalscoring edge he showcased frequently at Salzburg even sharper in recent weeks.

The forward has also made scoring in the Champions League, a competition that is the pinnacle of club football in the eyes of many, look unerringly easy throughout the campaign. Per OptaJoe, no player in the history of the competition has racked up a double-figure goal return quicker than Haaland:

OptaJoe @OptaJoe

10 – Erling Haaland has scored 10 Champions League goals in just seven appearances, reaching the tally four games quicker than any other player in the competition’s history. Ridiculous. https://t.co/OPXGPjl7MG

As football broadcaster Carlo Garganese relayed, in addition to his predatory instincts, Haaland also showcased remarkable speed with one burst in the first period:

Carlo Garganese @carlogarganese

Erling Haaland clocked a time of 6.64 seconds for a 60 metre sprint during a first half counter attack tonight. The 60m world record (by US sprinter Christian Coleman) is 6.34 seconds! #BVBPSG

While there was some stellar forward play on display in Dortmund, in Madrid it was Atletico's defensive display that was the deciding factor.

Saul Niguez prodded home early on, and Atletico did brilliantly to nullify the attacking riches available to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp for the rest of the encounter.

Per WhoScored.com, it's been a while since any team were able to shut down Liverpool so effectively:

WhoScored.com @WhoScored

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool FT Liverpool failed to have a single shot on target for the first time in a game across all competitions since October 3rd, 2018 (vs Napoli) There wasn't a single shot on target between the two teams from the 27th minute onwards #UCL https://t.co/lx0idoAu2s

Despite toiling for long spells and failing to get an away goal, the Reds will still fancy their chances of turning things around at Anfield on March 11. They memorably recovered from a three-goal deficit against Barcelona at the semi-final stage last season on their way to winning the trophy.

Lewandowski will have the chance to edge ahead of Haaland again in a week's time, when Bayern visit Chelsea in the first leg of their knockout clash.