Erling Haaland and the art of making opening weekend his own

Erling Haaland’s relationship with the opening weekend of a league season has become one of the more remarkable scoring trends in modern football. Long before he was terrorising Premier League defences, the Norwegian was already building the foundations of that reputation in his homeland.

His senior career began with Molde, where he made his Eliteserien debut as a teenager in 2017 and gradually developed into one of Norway’s most dangerous young forwards.

His first league opening weekend at Molde, however, did not produce the kind of headline-grabbing performance that would later become familiar. Haaland came off the bench for 25 minutes as Molde defeated Sandefjord 5-0 in March 2018.

His breakout opening-day contribution came later that year when he scored four times in just 21 minutes against Brann in a 4-0 victory, although that fixture was Matchweek 15 rather than the opening round.

That distinction matters because the extraordinary record that followed was built around games in which Erling Haaland actually started on the first weekend.

Salzburg: The assist before the goals

After leaving Molde for Red Bull Salzburg, Erling Haaland’s opening-weekend influence took another form. Against Rapid Wien, he registered an assist as Salzburg began the 2019-20 campaign with a victory.

It was a reminder that his value was never restricted to finishing chances. His ability to occupy defenders, attack space and create opportunities for teammates was already becoming an important part of his game.

Dortmund: Erling Haaland announces himself

Erling Haaland’s first Bundesliga opening weekend with Borussia Dortmund was considerably more explosive. Dortmund defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-0, with Haaland scoring twice after Giovanni Reyna had opened the scoring.

The Norwegian’s brace immediately placed him at the centre of the story, with his movement and finishing proving decisive in turning Dortmund’s dominance into a comfortable victory. Although on his Bundesliga debut, he came off the bench to score a hat-trick against Augsburg.

A year later, he produced perhaps his most complete opening-day performance for the German club. Dortmund defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 5-2, with Haaland scoring twice and providing two assists.

Four direct goal contributions in one match demonstrated that his opening-weekend brilliance was about far more than simply putting the ball in the net.

Manchester City: Same Haaland, bigger stage

The move to Manchester City did nothing to interrupt the pattern. On his Premier League debut against West Ham United, Haaland scored twice in a 2-0 victory.

His first goal came from the penalty spot before he doubled the lead after being released by Kevin De Bruyne. It was the perfect introduction to English football and an early warning of what was to come.

Burnley suffered the same fate the following season. Haaland scored twice in the first half as City secured a 3-0 victory, giving Pep Guardiola’s side an emphatic start to their title defence.

Even Chelsea could not stop him

In 2024, the challenge was considerably tougher. The Mancunians travelled to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, but Haaland still found the net in a 2-0 victory.

The goal was another example of his ability to influence matches even when opponents successfully limit his involvement for long periods. Haaland completed just three passes in the match, but his early strike set the tone for the win.

Then came Wolves. City won 4-0, and Erling Haaland scored twice, adding another brace to his growing collection of opening-weekend performances.

A pattern that keeps repeating

The remarkable part of Haaland’s record is not simply the number of goals. His contributions have come in different ways and against very different opponents. He has created goals, scored braces, delivered decisive finishes and repeatedly helped his teams turn opening-day fixtures into victories.

From Molde’s teenager to Salzburg’s emerging star, Dortmund’s devastating striker and Manchester City’s record-breaking No. 9, Haaland has developed an extraordinary habit: when he starts the first league game of the season, he almost always leaves his mark.

His opening-weekend record is not just a collection of impressive statistics; it is another reflection of the ruthless consistency that has defined his rise to the top of world football, and with City playing host to Bournemouth in their Premier League 2026-27 curtain-raiser, there is hope that he’ll fire Enzo Maresca’s team to the win.

Erling Haaland has a history of struggling against the Cherries, with just two goals and one assist in eight league appearances, but his opening-day habit could be decisive in finally putting the visitors to the sword.