Manchester City stormed to a 5-0 victory over Sparta Prague at the Etihad Stadium, setting a new Champions League record for the longest unbeaten run in the competition’s history, with 26 games. Pep Guardiola’s side, who were already dominant in Europe, achieved the milestone with a comprehensive display, featuring standout performances from Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, and Matheus Nunes.
First Half: Foden Opens the Scoring
City wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Phil Foden opening the scoring just three minutes into the match. The England international, stepping up in the absence of Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku, cut inside and unleashed a low, precise shot that slipped past Sparta Prague goalkeeper Peter Vindahl. Foden’s performance was one of many highlights in a game that saw City control possession and create chance after chance against a deep-lying Prague defence.
Despite constant pressure, City struggled to add to their tally in the first half. Erling Haaland, a constant menace in the box, had a couple of headers saved by Vindahl, but it was clear the Norwegian striker was only getting warmed up.
Second Half: Haaland Takes Over
In the second half, City kicked into another gear, with Erling Haaland delivering two goals that effectively sealed the match. Haaland’s first came midway through the second period, a stunning, acrobatic effort that demonstrated both his athleticism and instinctive finishing. This goal marked his 43rd Champions League strike in just 42 appearances—an extraordinary achievement for the prolific forward.
Moments later, John Stones added City’s third goal with a powerful header from a Matheus Nunes corner, increasing the lead to 3-0. Nunes, who had been influential throughout, then linked up with Rico Lewis to assist Haaland’s second goal of the night. Haaland calmly slotted home to further extend City’s lead, bringing his tally in the Champions League to 44 goals in 42 matches.
Nunes Rounds Off a Perfect Night
City’s dominance was underlined in the closing minutes when Matheus Nunes completed the scoring with a penalty, making it 5-0. Nunes had earned the spot-kick himself, capping a performance that showcased his growing influence in Guardiola’s midfield. The victory was comprehensive, with City’s clinical finishing and defensive solidity never giving Sparta Prague a chance to compete.
Breaking Records
This emphatic win not only secured three more points for City in their Champions League campaign but also allowed them to surpass the previous unbeaten record of 25 games, held by Manchester United (2007-09). City have now gone 26 matches without a loss in the competition, and their only setback since 2022 was a penalty shootout defeat to Real Madrid after two draws.
Conclusion
Manchester City’s 5-0 victory over Sparta Prague was a testament to their strength and depth, with key performances from Haaland, Foden, and Nunes. With injuries to key players like Kevin De Bruyne, Grealish, and Doku, Guardiola will be pleased to see his squad perform so effortlessly, setting a new European standard for dominance.
