Erling Haaland is not one to hide his emotions, and footage of his furious reaction after Manchester City’s dramatic defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League has gone viral. The Sky Blues blew a 2-1 lead with just five minutes remaining in their first-leg knockout play-off at the Etihad, allowing Madrid to snatch a 3-2 victory and give them the advantage heading into the return leg at the Bernabeu.
Haaland’s frustration was palpable after Jude Bellingham’s winner in the 92nd minute, which followed a defensive mistake from City. With his two goals earlier in the game having given City a solid chance to take a lead to Madrid, Haaland was visibly furious, pacing around the center circle, clearly upset with the way his teammates had let the match slip away.
Haaland’s Explosive Reaction: ‘You’ve Got to Be Kidding Me’
In footage captured by City’s ‘Pit Cam’, Haaland could be seen picking up the ball after the winner and throwing an angry glance at his teammates. He muttered something to himself, visibly upset, then turned back to shout at someone out of camera shot. The camera picked up Haaland’s unmistakable fury as he walked off to his position, his frustration simmering.
At full-time, Haaland was quick to give a few brief handshakes to his former teammate Bellingham, along with Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe, before making a beeline for the tunnel, cutting off Rico Lewis on his way out. The striker’s rage continued after the game, as he refused to speak to the press, telling reporters “No” when asked for a post-match interview.
John Stones: ‘Anger and Hurt’ in the Dressing Room
In the aftermath of the loss, John Stones provided insight into the tense atmosphere in the dressing room, describing the mood as one of anger and upset. He acknowledged that the team needed to reflect and learn from their mistakes.
“We’ve let two situations get on top of us today from simple things that we’re used to doing,” Stones said. “We’ve got to be self-critical and have some tough discussions. We’ll review the game and then move forward. We’re still in this. It’s not a mountain to climb, but a hill. We’ve done it before, and we can do it again.”
The Road Ahead: Can City Come Back in Madrid?
While the anger is still fresh, Stones’ words suggest there’s confidence in the squad’s ability to overturn the deficit. The defeat stung, but City’s belief in their ability to turn it around is unwavering. Haaland, known for his goal-scoring prowess and determination, will be leading the charge as City now heads to the Bernabeu with everything on the line.
As for Haaland, it’s clear he’s not one to take defeat lightly. Whether he channels that frustration into a performance for the ages in Madrid or if the pressure gets the better of him, we’ll soon find out. But one thing’s for sure: Man City are not out of it yet.
Author
