Manchester City establishes a new European unbeaten record (26 games); Phil Foden scores the first goal, while Erling Haaland nets a superb double in the second half; Matheus Nunes completes the scoring with a penalty, capping off a flawless evening.
Manchester City claimed a new record for the longest unbeaten streak in Champions League history by defeating Sparta Prague 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium, demonstrating their dominance and talent on the international stage. This victory solidified their position in Europe and extended their impressive unbeaten run to 26 matches.
The 2023 champions not only surpassed Real Madrid’s previous record of 32 consecutive unbeaten home games on Wednesday but also delivered a performance that highlighted their tactical finesse. They controlled the match with apparent ease, achieving a well-deserved victory through contributions from Phil Foden, Erling Haaland (2), John Stones, and Matheus Nunes.
Phil Foden was back to his brilliant form, playing a pivotal role in the attacking play. With Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku both sidelined due to injuries, Foden stepped up, cutting inside and sending a low strike past Peter Vindahl within the first three minutes. This early goal set a positive tone for the match, boosting the confidence of his teammates and giving a strong signal to their opponents.
Although Haaland had several opportunities, Sparta’s goalkeeper, Vindahl, skillfully denied his attempts, turning away a couple of headers that could have increased City’s lead in the first half. Nonetheless, he was powerless against an audacious instinctive effort from the Norwegian striker midway through the second period, which showcased Haaland’s exceptional ability to find opportunities.
In his typically efficient style, Haaland connected acrobatically with Savinho’s precise cross, opening the floodgates and unleashing a flurry of goals that demonstrated City’s attacking capabilities. Within a blistering nine-minute span, three of City’s five goals were scored, illustrating their dominance and relentless style of play.
Next, John Stones netted with a powerful header from a corner delivered by Matheus Nunes, a commendable effort from the defender who had been reliable at the back. Just four minutes after, the young Rico Lewis combined with Nunes to assist Haaland for his second goal of the match, marking the 44th time he has scored in just 42 Champions League appearances—further solidifying his reputation as one of the tournament’s most dangerous forwards.
To conclude an outstanding evening for both the City players and their fans, Nunes himself confidently converted a late penalty, adding another goal to his tally and ensuring the team finished with a memorable highlight.
This commanding victory not only surpasses Manchester United’s former unbeaten record of 25 matches set between 2007-09 but also highlights Manchester City’s exceptional consistency. Their only defeat since the 2022 semi-finals occurred in a penalty shoot-out following two draws against Real Madrid, proving their capability to compete at the highest level in European football. The night at the Etihad Stadium represents a significant milestone in the club’s history, exemplifying their unyielding quest for success on the European stage.
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