MANCHESTER, England – Pep Guardiola said Erling Haaland’s outrageous goal in Manchester City’s 5-0 win over Sparta Prague was “not normal for a human being.”

Haaland acrobatically finished Savinho’s cross in the second half with a back-heel volley in the air.

The Norwegian scored again before being substituted, giving him 44 goals in 42 Champions League games and moving up to 16th on the all-time list.

“I didn’t know how he scored,” Guardiola said. “To a human being I would say no (it’s not normal). He scored a fantastic goal.

“He can touch 15 or 20 balls, but he has seven or eight chances. It’s unbelievable.

“He scored an incredible goal, similar to Borussia Dortmund a few years ago. I don’t know which is more difficult, but I would say both.”

Haaland’s Man City teammate Matheus Nunes was equally impressed.

“What a great goal. I was speechless afterwards,” Nunes told TNT Sports. “When he scored a similar goal against Dortmund I was watching on TV, so to see it live it was great.”

Sparta Prague coach Lars Friis was also full of praise for Haaland, who has already scored thirteen goals this season.

“What can you say, he is perhaps the best striker in the world,” said Friis.

“He’s world class. We felt we had a good handle on him, but then he turns up with a goal like this.

“They are the best team in the world with the best players in the world.”

City’s victory moved them into third place in the Champions League and within sight of the knockout rounds ahead of matches against Sporting CP and Feyenoord.

Guardiola’s side also set a new record in Europe’s top club competition by going 26 games without defeat – not including shootouts – to better Manchester United’s run between 2007 and 2009.

“We played very well again,” Guardiola said.

“I’m really enjoying the way we’ve been playing lately. We’re conceding few, few chances.

“We are creating a lot and had to be very patient. We still have five games to go and the goal is to finish in the top eight. It is a good advantage not to play in February.”