It may have crept up on us but European football has well and truly returned. And after only one round of games, it's the teenagers that are stealing all the headlines.
With Liverpool, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund just some of the teams all playing on Tuesday nights, there were plenty of superstars to snap up the majority of the highlights. But it was a Norwegian 19-year-old that produced the performance of the week. Erling Haaland, son of Alf-Inge, marked his Champions League debut with a first half hat-trick against Genk.
He's had an explosive start to the season, the hat-trick against the Belgian side his fourth since pre-season, and his next European appearance will most likely come at Anfield in two weeks' time.
19 years old!
1st Champions League appearance!
A first-half hat-trick!
4th hat-trick of the season!
Erling Braut Haland is a superstar in the making! ⭐️
Alf-Inge Håland son is on fire! 🔥#FCSGNK #UCL #VMSport pic.twitter.com/SuDuTsJ1Ql— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 17, 2019
However, he wasn't the only youngster making a name for himself in Salzburg with 18-year-old Dominil Szoboszlai also getting on the score sheet.
The Hungarian, who seemingly caught the eye of some Arsenal scouts, put the ball in the net just before half-time to give his side a commanding 5-1 half-time lead. The game finished 6-2.
What a first-half for Salzburg!
Five goals!
Including this brilliant counter, finished by 18-year-old Dominik Szoboszlai.#FCSGNK #UCL #VMSport pic.twitter.com/2HIAdyb4dm— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 17, 2019
It was the Europa League on Thursday that saw teenagers really come to the fore.
17-year-old Mason Greenwood has been touted as the next big star at Manchester United for a while now, and last night he scored his first goal for the senior side in their clash with Astana. It was a phenomenal piece of individual skill from the tyro, scoring at the Stretford End, that ultimately handed Ole Gunnar Solskjær's side a 1-0 win.
MASON GREENWOOD!
17 years old at the Stretford End!
🔴⚫️🔴⚫️🔴⚫️#MUNAST #UEL #VMSport pic.twitter.com/4x6KnKSoZI— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 19, 2019
Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka marked his debut for Arsenal in style away to Eintract Frankfurt. The English youngster delivered a peach of a shot from his left boot that is sure to have given manager Unai Emery plenty of food for thought.
The manager has proven that he is willing to give teenagers a go in the Premier League, as is the case with Reiss Nelson, so last night's 18-year-old goalscorer should get more opportunities over the coming weeks and months back on home soil.
Bukayo Saka. 👏
What a way for the 18-year-old to get his first senior goal! #FRAARS #UEL #VMSport pic.twitter.com/4GAxen5BGl— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 19, 2019
Elsewhere on the continent, 18-year-old Myron Boadu got on the end of a swift counteract in Belgrade as his side, AZ Alkmaar played out a draw with Partizan.
Lovely counter-attacking play from AZ Alkmaar here.
👏👏👏#UEL #VMSport pic.twitter.com/vDG5tKiKgs— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 19, 2019
Capping off a sensational week in Europe for the up-and-coming talents, 19-year-olds Noah Okafor (Basel), Jonathan David (Gent) and Igor Diveev (CSKA Moscow) also grabbed goals for their respective sides.
SEE ALSO: Irish Striker Sean Maguire Opens Up On His Freak Training Ground Injury
