Erling Haaland’s breathtaking acrobatic goal highlighted Manchester City’s dominant 5-0 victory over Sparta Prague in the Champions League. The Norwegian striker scored twice, including an incredible backheel at shoulder height, leading City to their third match without a defeat.
Phil Foden, John Stones, and Matheus Nunes also contributed to the win, ensuring Pep Guardiola’s side remains unbeaten across all competitions this season. Haaland’s first goal was a martial-arts-inspired effort, while his second capped off a 10-minute blitz of Sparta Prague. Foden, who opened the scoring early in the match, praised Haaland’s athleticism, humorously adding, “If I tried that, I’d pull my groin.”
Sparta Prague, having taken four points from their first two group-stage games, couldn’t cope with City’s firepower. Despite an impressive first-half effort by Sparta’s goalkeeper Peter Vindahl, Haaland eventually broke through. City added three more goals to seal their dominant victory, with Nunes scoring his second City goal after Haaland was substituted.
With this win, Manchester City moves to third place in the Champions League table, trailing only Premier League rivals Liverpool and Aston Villa. City’s unbeaten streak in the competition extends to an incredible 26 matches. Haaland’s brace brings his total to 44 goals in just 42 Champions League appearances, further cementing his place as one of the top scorers in Europe.
As Manchester City navigates a congested fixture schedule, Guardiola’s rotation ensures the squad stays fresh. With the team firing on all cylinders, they look poised for continued success in both domestic and European competitions.
