Saturday night German Clásico between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park was one riveting encounter.
In a match that went back and forth, the away side took a decisive 2-1 lead going into the break, with talisman Lewandowski and Kingsley Coman scoring for the Bavarians.
However, Dortmund’s Erling Haaland scored a brilliant goal just minutes into the second half to make it 2-2. But as sublime as his equalizer was, his comical altercation with Bayern’s Lucas Hernandez afterwards drew even more attention.
Vying for the ball by the corner flag, the Norwegian committed a foul on Hernandez. Incensed by the challenge, the French International stood up, turned around and seemed ready to square up.
No sooner did he realize that it was the enormous Norwegian who had thrown the challenge on him, Hernandez appeared ready to make amends, opting to shake the striker’s hand instead.
Hernandez didn’t fancy taking on Haaland, who stands tall at 1.94m. In contrast, the French defender looked unmistakably petite at 1.84m.
Lucas hernandez was mad and wanted to fight but then realised that it was Haaland😭😭 pic.twitter.com/Qo9ZiI2TgP
— Arrest P$G & L’Equipe 🇲🇦🇳🇱 (@AminRMFC9) December 4, 2021
Height aside, Hernandez’s subdued response also seemed to surprise many. After all, having played under Diego Simeone at Atlético, Hernandez is well-familiar with his dark arts involving play-acting and efforts at getting under the opponent’s skin.
Haaland appeared caught off guard for a moment before responding amicably to the defender’s gesture, leaning in to share a brief moment of reconciliation.
The Norwegian’s equalizer was rendered ineffective after Lewandoski scored from the spot-kick at the end of the second half, making it 3-2 in favour of the men in Reds.
Bayern’s victory on Saturday means they’re at the top of the Bundesliga table with a lead of four points behind Dortmund.