Manchester City set a new record for the longest unbeaten run in Champions League history by beating Sparta Prague 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium.
The 2023 winners – who simultaneously surpassed Real Madrid’s 32-game unbeaten home run on Wednesday – barely got out of third gear as their cantered to a routine victory thanks to goals from Phil Foden, Erling Haaland (2), John Stones and Matheus Nunes.
Foden looked back to his majestic best – and in good time too, with Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku both sidelined – cutting inside to sweep a low strike beyond Peter Vindahl within the first three minutes.
Haaland has scored 44 Champions League goals in 42 appearances
The Sparta goalkeeper denied Haaland’s attempts to double City’s lead, rebuffing a pair of headers, but could do nothing about an audaciously instinctive effort midway through the second period.
In typically efficient fashion, having been involved in very little of the play, Haaland connected acrobatically with Savinho’s cross, and in turn, prised open the floodgates.
Three of City’s five-goal haul arrived in a blistering nine-minute spell and epitomised their dominance.
John Stones has found the net three times already this season
Stones was next in line, arrowing a fine header from Nunes’ corner, and just four minutes later, Rico Lewis was linking with Nunes to feed Haaland for his second – the 44th time he’s found the net in 42 Champions League appearances.
Nunes himself rounded off a perfect night by tucking home a cool penalty late on.
The win eclipses the previous best unbeaten record (25) set by Manchester United between 2007-09, with City’s only loss since the 2022 semi-finals coming via a penalty shoot-out after two draws against Real Madrid.
Analysis: Emphatic win glosses over injury woe
Sky Sports’ Laura Hunter:
“The most promising aspect of such a slick performance for Pep Guardiola – beyond the result – will have been the sharpness of both Phil Foden and Erling Haaland in the absence of their regular support cast.
“Kevin de Bruyne has been missing for some weeks, but Pep broke the news of injuries to Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku pre-match, suggesting a frustrating reality over City’s sustainability. Rodri’s season-ending knee injury was just the start.
Jack Grealish was in the stands at the Etihad after being ruled out with a short-term problem
“Perhaps that’s why no player seemed willing to step out of second gear in the first period. Pep had only named seven substitutes, two of which were goalkeepers, and with very little in reserve, it was up to those on the pitch to deliver. They did so emphatically.
“It’ll be interesting to see how this City machine copes if any more of its cogs falls foul of this congested fixture schedule, though, because back-up is looking pretty thin on the ground.”
Foden has lofty ambitions to repeat top form
Man City forward Phil Foden speaking on TNT:
“They frustrated us in the first half, and we did a few sloppy things. We had to remain patient, in the second half we finished more chances which was nice to see.
“When a team are sat so deep patience is so important, and we had to play at our own pace. The manager loves it when you stick to your role and trust the lads to get the ball to you, that’s something the manager is big on.
“I’m still getting match sharp, but I’m going in the right direction now. The season is long enough to get back to my level. The aim is to hit what I hit last year.”
Pep praises ‘unbelievable’ Haaland
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Following his side’s 5-0 victory over Sparta Praha, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says that Erling Haaland’s talent is ‘unbelievable’.
Man City manager Pep Guardiola speaking on TNT:
“We were playing good. I didn’t expect them to defend so deep. They played offensively in their other matches but they defended so deep it’s difficult. The moment we broke the game for 2-0 it was fine.”
Haaland goal: “I saw it when the ball came in. It’s unbelievable. His stature. So tall and so flexible. I like it, he has this sense of humour. Very similar to the Dortmund one a few years ago. Unbelievable. I don’t know which was more difficult, both very difficult.”
