Erling Haaland acrobatics light up Man City’s Champions League rout of Sparta Prague

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom - Erling Haaland’s spectacular acrobatic effort lit up Manchester City’s 5-0 win over Sparta Prague to move into third place in the Champions League table.

The Norwegian scored twice, including a backheel at shoulder height, as City ran riot against the Czech champions.

Phil Foden, John Stones and Matheus Nunes were also on target for Pep Guardiola’s men, who remain unbeaten in all competitions this season.

Sparta had taken four points from their opening two Champions League games against Salzburg and Stuttgart, but City were a step up in class too far for the visitors.

Foden’s struggle for form and fitness has compounded City’s injury problems with Rodri and Kevin de Bruyne sidelined.

But there were encouraging signs for Guardiola as, restored to the starting line-up, the England international drilled home the opening goal after just three minutes.

Haaland had nine efforts on goal in total but was frustrated in the first half as Sparta refused to let the floodgates open before the break.

Peter Vindahl produced a stunning save low to his right to parry a powerful downward header from Haaland on 10 minutes.

Vindahl also denied Foden, while Haaland had another towering header hacked off the line.

For all the home side’s dominance, Sparta would have levelled midway through the first half but for a brilliant save from Ederson to turn behind Veljko Birmancevic’s strike on the counter-attack from a City corner.

Haaland did finally deliver City’s second with an effort reminiscent of his strike against old club Borussia Dortmund two years ago that won Champions League goal of the season.

Savinho’s chipped cross was slightly behind the 24-year-old, who contorted his body to strike the ball martial arts style and fire it past Vindahl.

Asked by a visiting reporter if such goals are “normal” for Haaland, Guardiola said: “I would say no. Not for a human being. I would say no.”

The goal was more a remarkable physical effort than a thing of beauty, and similar to a karate kick goal he scored against Borussia Dortmund in 2022.

“I just spoke to him if I tried to do that I’d pull my groin,” said Foden. “I don’t know how he did it. I just think it’s just his long legs. He’s a freak isn’t he?“

“What an amazing goal,” added Matheus Nunes, who also scored from the penalty spot. “I was speechless after that. When he scored a similar goal against Dortmund I was watching on TV so to see this live it was amazing.”

Even visiting coach Lars Friis had high praise for Haaland, who took his tally to 44 Champions League goals in 42 games. He climbed level with Didier Drogba in 16th spot on the all-time scoring list in the European competition, although Drogba took 92 games to reach the mark.

“He’s a world-class player, maybe the best striker in the world,” Friis said.

Guardiola was pleased with the patience Haaland – whose 10 Premier League goals top the scoring table this season – showed amid a swarm of defenders. He narrowly missed firing home with a pair of headers as well.

“I know it’s not easy for him, because they defend in the box, no space, three central defenders with him, two holding midfielders close to him... literally is not a space,” Guardiola said. “You know, every cross they are hugging him and pushing, so it’s not easy.

“But I spoke many times with him. Be patient. Be patient. Be positive. Erling has this incredible capacity, can touch 15 balls, 20 balls, but have seven, eight chances. So it’s unbelievable, this talent that this guy has.”

Guardiola did not actually see the goal live, saying a player was blocking his view. He turned to his bench to ask who scored, and how.

“I saw it on TV, but I didn’t see it in the moment,” the manager said.

Haaland’s acrobatics had social media abuzz. One fan posted on X: “Haaland, that’s one of the most ridiculous finishes I’ve seen in my life.”

John Stones also scored for City, who climbed to third in Europe’s elite club competition with seven points after three games.

Stones nodded in a vital stoppage time winner against Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday and continued his hot streak in front of goal with a looping header from Nunes’ cross.

Haaland then completed a three-goal blitz in 11 minutes at the end of a scintillating City counter-attack.

Slick passes from Rico Lewis, Foden and Nunes teed up Haaland to slot home his 44th Champions League goal in just 42 appearances in the competition.

Guardiola could afford the luxury of replacing his star No. 9, along with Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva in the closing stages with City in the midst of a run of seven games in 21 days.

Nunes completed the rout from the penalty spot after he had been felled inside the area.

Victory takes City onto seven points from their opening three Champions League games, behind only Premier League rivals Liverpool and Aston Villa. AFP