Haaland scores first post-lockdown goal in Bundesliga

Haaland scored in the 29th minute for the first goal of the five matches kicking off on Saturday afternoon on the long-awaited return of top-flight football in Europe.

Dortmund's Erling Haaland scores first goal on Bundesliga's return post-lockdown.

The setting may be unfamiliar with the German Bundesliga returning behind closed doors after a two-month coronavirus shutdown, but the identity of the day's first goal-scorer was entirely familiar as Erling Haaland put Borussia Dortmund ahead against Schalke.

Haaland diverted a low Thorgan Hazard cross into the far corner of the net in the 29th minute for the first goal of the five matches kicking off on Saturday afternoon on the long-awaited comeback of top-flight football in Europe.

The Norway international scored his 13th goal in 12 appearances in all competitions since joining Dortmund in January, making him only the second Bundesliga player to achieve that feat after Klaus Matischak for Schalke in 1963-64.

Highlights from the match

It was a 10th goal in nine Bundesliga appearances for the prolific 19-year-old striker, who moved to Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in the winter. Only Gert Dorfel and Paco Alcacer were able to score that many in fewer Bundesliga games (both eight matches).

Usually the scorer of the first goal in the Ruhr derby -- one of the biggest fixtures in German football -- could expect to be mobbed by his teammates.

On this occasion, though, Haaland's colleagues respected social distancing recommendations and avoided getting too close as they applauded the smiling and dancing goal-scorer.