Erling Haaland outpaces Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé to 300 goals

Erling Haaland scored the 300th goal of his career for club and country as Manchester City defeated Juventus in the decisive game of Group G in the FIFA Club World Cup in Orlando.

Haaland, 24, had started the game as a substitute for Pep Guardiola’s team but was introduced at halftime as a replacement for Egypt international Omar Marmoush.

And the former Borussia Dortmund striker needed just seven minutes to get on the score sheet with just his third touch of the game when he bundled the ball into the Juventus net from close range.

The goal, which put City 3-1 ahead against Juve, was Haaland’s 123rd for City in 145 games for the Premier League side and took his career tally to 300 in just 370 games for Molde, RB Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund, City and Norway.

He reached the mark in far fewer games than fellow prolific scorers Cristiano Ronaldo (554 games), Lionel Messi (418 games) and Kylian Mbappé (409 games), per ESPN Research.

“All I can say is congratulations,” Man City manager Pep Guardiola told reporters. “He has scored 300 goals at 24 years old. I admire a lot the strikers. I am so happy for Erling, his goal and being involved in short spaces. So, so good.”

Man City’s 5-2 win means they finish top of Group G ahead of Juventus and will take on the runner-up from Group H in the round of 16 on Monday back in Orlando.

Real Madrid currently lead Group H ahead of RB Salzburg ahead of the final games of the group stage later on Thursday.