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 unbeaten home run in 32 games on Wednesday – barely got out of third gear as they galloped 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 timely too, with Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku both sidelined – and cut inside to sweep a low goal past Peter Vindahl inside the opening three minutes.

The Sparta goalkeeper denied Haaland’s attempts to double City’s lead by deflecting a pair of headers, but could do nothing to prevent a daringly instinctive effort midway through the second period.

In typically efficient fashion, having been involved in very little of the play, Haaland made acrobatic contact with Savinho’s cross and in turn pried open the floodgates.

Three of City’s five goals came within a thrilling nine-minute spell and epitomized their dominance.

Stones was next in line, with a neat header from Nunes’ corner, and just four minutes later Rico Lewis linked up with Nunes to feed Haaland for his second – the 44th time he has found the net in 42 Champions League- performances.

Nunes himself rounded off a perfect evening by scoring a penalty late on.

The victory surpasses Manchester United’s previous best unbeaten record (25) between 2007 and 2009. City’s only defeat since the 2022 semi-finals came via a penalty shoot-out after two draws against Real Madrid.

Analysis: Emphatic victory covers up injury woes

Sky Sports’ Laura Hunter:

“The most promising aspect of such a slick performance for Pep Guardiola – apart from the result – will have been the sharpness of both Phil Foden and Erling Haaland in the absence of their regular supporting cast.

“Kevin de Bruyne has been missing for a few weeks, but Pep broke the news of the injuries to Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku ahead of the match, suggesting a frustrating reality about City’s sustainability. Rodri’s season-ending knee injury was just the start.”

“Perhaps that’s why no player seemed willing to step out of second gear in the first period. Pep had named just seven substitutes, two of whom were goalkeepers, and with very little in reserve it was up to the players on the pitch to do something about it. They did so emphatically.

“However, it will be interesting to see how this City machine copes as further cogs get into trouble with this busy fixture list, as the back-up looks quite thin.”

Foden has big ambitions to repeat the top form

Men’s city forward Phil Foden discuss TNT:

“They frustrated us in the first half and we did some sloppy things. We had to stay patient, in the second half we scored more chances and that was nice to see.

“When a team is that 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 boys to get the ball to you, that’s something the manager is great.” on.

“I’m still getting competitive, but I’m going in the right direction now. The season is long enough to get back to my level. The goal is to achieve what I achieved last year.”

Pep praises ‘incredible’ Haaland

Men’s city manager Pep Guardiola discuss TNT:

“We played well. I didn’t expect them to defend so deep. In their other games they played attacking, but they defended so deep that it became difficult. The moment we broke the game at 2-0 it was fine .”

Haaland’s goal: “I saw it when the ball came in. It’s incredible. His stature. So tall and so flexible. I like it, he has a sense of humor. Very similar to the one from Dortmund a few years ago. Unbelievable. I don’t ‘ I don’t know which was harder, both very difficult.”

How the match went

What’s going to happen in the Champions League?