Erling Haaland scores twice to defeat Sparta Prague and Manchester City

Phil Foden, John Stones and Matheus Nunes also scored as City broke Manchester United’s record for consecutive games without defeat in the competition in a one-sided match at the Etihad Stadium.

Haaland’s double took him to a remarkable 44 goals in 42 Champions League appearances, with his first being a gravity-defying volley from behind after Foden had opened the scoring.

He then made his 13th appearance of the season with a fine finish after Stones had gone ahead for his third of the season and the game ended with a late Nunes penalty.

Three City goals came in nine minutes of the second half as Pep Guardiola’s side extended their unbeaten streak in Europe’s elite competition to a record 26 games.

That eclipsed United’s previous best of 25 from the 2007-09 season, with City’s only defeat since the 2022 semi-finals coming on penalties following two draws with Real Madrid.

The victory gave them seven points after three matches in the league stage and put them on track to the next stage.

They didn’t have to kick into high gear to say goodbye to the Czechs and made light of the absence of Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku, who became the latest additions to their pre-match injury list.

City started brilliantly and Foden put them ahead after just three minutes.

The England international received a pass from Manuel Akanji outside the box and drove forward, adapting well to the strong touch, before firing a low shot into the bottom corner.

City came close to scoring a second goal shortly afterwards when Haaland rose to head home but Peter Vindahl made a good save on the right.

The hosts usually dominated possession and sent many players forward, and were almost caught when Angelo Preciado broke from deep and fired a long-range shot, but the ball went wide.

Sparta turned defense into attack again after Martin Vitik deflected Haaland’s header and City’s substitute goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega, this time had to push away Veljko Birmancevic’s shot.

Foden went close again, testing Vindahl before curling another shot home, while Savinho also missed the target after breaking through the defense.

City thought they had doubled their lead early in the second half when Nathan Ake, making his first start of the season, crossed from a corner but the Dutchman denied him a handball.

Almost inevitably, it was the prolific Haaland who put the result beyond any doubt with his spectacular strike just before the hour mark.

Savinho created a chance with a clever run and cross from the right, but the Norwegian still had a lot to do when he jumped with his back to the goal and acrobatically shot into the net.

Stones, who won against Wolves at the weekend, then added another with a looping header from Nunes’ cross.

The attack continued and Haaland scored the fourth goal with a deft touch and finished just outside the box after a deft pass.

Haaland was withdrawn soon after, but City didn’t finish the match and Nunes added sparkle with a late penalty after a foul by Preciado.