COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus soccer fans were treated to a high-scoring match at Ohio Stadium as Manchester City beat Chelsea 4-2 in a friendly in front of 71,000 fans at the Horseshoe.
While Cucho Hernandez tends to be the one to score hat-tricks in central Ohio, this time it was one of the world's best strikers, Erling Haaland, who scored three past Chelsea to give himself the jolt into the upcoming European soccer season.
Amongst the notable starters for Manchester City included Haaland and midfielder Jack Grealish. Chelsea had many of its regular starters getting the game underway, such as goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, midfielder Enzo Fernandez and striker Christopher Nkunku.
The Citizens were able to score very early as Haaland took advantage of a giveaway in the box and earned a penalty kick. He stepped up and slotted it past Robert Sanchez. Seconds later, Chelsea had a poor back pass toward Sanchez and Haaland capitalized to score again in the 5th minute.
The rest of the first half saw each team get a couple of half chances before heading into the locker rooms for halftime. In the second half, City got its third in the 55th as Oscar Bobb dribbled with his left foot into the box and put away a neat finish past Sanchez.
Similarly to the first half, City scored another goal instantly as Haaland completed his hat-trick with a left-footed shot into the bottom corner. In the 59th minute, it was Chelsea's turn to get on the score sheet as Raheem Sterling gave Blues fans something to cheer for in Columbus.
In the 88th minute, Chelsea was able to get a second to close out the game as Noni Madueke got a clear run to get an easy shot and slot it into the far post.
Manchester City hits the pitch for its first competitive game of the new season next Saturday when they play Manchester United in the FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium. Chelsea begin its season on Aug. 18 against City before starting qualifying matches for the UEFA Conference League.
COLUMBUS, OHIO - AUGUST 03: Erling Haaland #9 of Manchester City celebrates a goal in the first half of the pre-season friendly against Chelsea FC at Ohio Stadium on August 03, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
Manchester City's manager Pep Guardiola arrives for the pre-season club friendly football match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, August 3, 2024. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP) (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - AUGUST 03: Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea passes the ball during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Chelsea FC and Manchester City at Ohio Stadium on August 03, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - AUGUST 03: Mykhaylo Mudryk of Chelsea and Josh Wilson-Esbrand of Manchester City battle for the ball during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Chelsea FC and Manchester City at Ohio Stadium on August 03, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - AUGUST 03: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Ben Chilwell and Armando Broja of Chelsea inspect the pitch prior to the Pre-Season Friendly match between Chelsea FC and Manchester City at Ohio Stadium on August 03, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Manchester City's forward #9 Erling Haaland (C) walks into the pitch with teammates for the warm ups before the pre-season club friendly football match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, August 3, 2024. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP) (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - AUGUST 03: Erling Haaland #9 of Manchester City shoots the ball during the first half of the pre-season friendly against Chelsea FC at Ohio Stadium on August 03, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - AUGUST 03: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea arrives at the stadium prior to the Pre-Season Friendly match between Chelsea FC and Manchester City at Ohio Stadium on August 03, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - AUGUST 03: Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea is put under pressure by Jack Grealish of Manchester City during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Chelsea FC and Manchester City at Ohio Stadium on August 03, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - AUGUST 03: Chelsea FC starting eleven pose for a photo before the pre-season friendly against Manchester City at Ohio Stadium on August 03, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - AUGUST 03: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea reacts during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Chelsea FC and Manchester City at Ohio Stadium on August 03, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
