'Ice-cold' Erling Haaland scores twice, Jadon Sancho still absent as Dortmund thrash Freiburg

Norwegian striker 'ice cold' on Saturday, while Manchester United target Sancho remains sidelined with illness

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  Erling Braut Haaland, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring the third goal for Borussia Dortmund against Freiburg. AFP

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  The attendance number is shown on a large video screen during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Freiburg. EPA

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  Dortmund's Jude Bellingham runs with the ball during the Bundesliga match against Freiburg. EPA

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  Dortmund's Giovanni Reyna runs with the ball during the Bundesliga match against Freiburg. EPA

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  Dortmund supporters cheers on the team from inside the stadium. EPA

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  Erling Haaland, left, celebrates his goal with Giovanni Reyna, right. AP Photo

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  Erling Haaland runs for the ball during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Freiburg. AP Photo

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  Erling Haaland, left, controls the ball beside a falling Freiburg player. AP Photo

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  Erling Haaland, right, celebrates with Emre Can, left, after the German midfielder scored Dortmund's second goal against Freiburg. AP

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  Dortmund players celebrates with supporters after winning the Bundesliga match against Freiburg. EPA

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  Erling Haaland runs with the ball during the Bundesliga match against Freiburg. EPA

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  Borussia Dortmund players celebrate after Felix Passlack scores the team's fourth goal against Freiburg. Getty Images

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  Freiburg midfielder Jonathan Schmid attempts a free-kick against Borussia Dortmund. AFP

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  Erling Haaland celebrates scoring Dortmund's third goal against Giovanni Reyna. EPA

Norwegian striker Erling Braut Haaland took his Bundesliga goal tally to four from three games after his double against Freiburg led Borussia Dortmund to a dominant 4-0 win on Saturday.

Dortmund bounced back from last weekend's shock defeat at Augsburg to move up to third in the table as Haaland shone to leave him on 21 goals in 23 games since his January transfer.

Having also scored in Wednesday's German Super Cup 3-2 defeat at Bayern Munich, the 20-year-old has netted five goals in as many games this season.

"He is our centre forward, that's what he's paid for, but he's ice cold," Dortmund captain Marco Reus said of Haaland's latest display in front of 11,500 people - the biggest Bundesliga crowd since Covid-19 hit Germany in March.

"He will always score - no matter how well or badly he is playing."

Freiburg captain Christian Guenter was equally glowing in his praise of Haaland, saying: "There are already a few creatures like him, but he's a real beast in front of goal. The first big chance he gets, goes in."

England winger Jadon Sancho remained absent for Dortmund as he continues to recover from a respiratory infection. Sancho, who tested negative for the coronavirus, has been at the centre of a drawn-out transfer saga, with Premier League club Manchester United keen to take him to Old Trafford.

However, Dortmund insist that Sancho's absence is due to his illness and not because of a potential move to United.

In the 20-year-old winger's place, US teenager Giovanni Reyna set up Dortmund's first three goals and was outstanding all match.

The 17-year-old attacking midfielder played Haaland into space for both of his goals and delivered a pin-point corner for Emre Can's headed goal.

Haaland, 19, once again showed dazzling finishing when he fired home from a right angle on 31 minutes.

Can then rose highest from a corner and his bullet header put Dortmund 2-0 up two minutes after the break.

Reyna and Haaland combined again when they got in behind the defence as the American delayed his pass which the Norway forward hammered into the net on 66 minutes.

Winger Felix Passlack claimed his first Bundesliga goal in added time to complete the rout with Haaland providing the final pass.

Defending champions Bayern Munich host Hertha Berlin on Sunday, aiming bounce back from last weekend's shock defeat at Hoffenheim which ended their 23-match winning streak.