Manchester City set a new record for the longest unbeaten streak in Champions League history by beating Sparta Prague 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

The 2023 winners, who also surpassed Real Madrid’s 32-game unbeaten home streak on Wednesday, were barely 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 returned to his majestic best – and in time, with Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku both sidelined – and shot inside to fire a low shot past Peter Vindahl within the first three minutes.

The Sparta goalkeeper parried Haaland’s attempts to extend City’s lead by repelling two headers, but was unable to do anything about a bold, instinctive attempt midway through the second period.

With very little involvement in the game, Haaland acrobatically handled Savinho’s cross, opening the scoring in typically efficient fashion.

Three of City’s five-goal scores came within nine minutes, highlighting City’s dominance.

Stones was next, firing a fine header from a Nunes corner, and just four minutes later Rico Lewis connected with Nunes to give Haaland his second goal – the 44th time he has scored in 42 Champions Leagues -Play the goal scored.

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

The victory surpasses the previous best unbeaten record (25) set by Manchester United between 2007 and 2009, with City’s only defeat since the 2022 semi-final coming on penalties after two draws against Real Madrid.

Analysis: Emphatic win glosses over injury concerns

Laura Hunter from Sky Sports:

“The most promising aspect of such a strong performance for Pep Guardiola – beyond the result – will have been the sharpness of Phil Foden and Erling Haaland, as their regular supporters were not there.”

“Kevin de Bruyne has been missing for a number of weeks but Pep broke the news of the injuries to Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku before the game, pointing to a frustrating reality about City’s sustainability. Rodri’s knee injury at the end of the season was just the beginning.”

“Perhaps that’s why no player seemed willing to leave second gear in the first third. Pep had only named seven substitutes, two of whom were goalkeepers, and with very few reserves, it was up to those on the pitch to deliver.” They did so emphatically.

“However, it will be interesting to see how this City machine copes as more of its cogs come into conflict with this crowded fixture list, as there appears to be pretty paltry support.”

Foden has great ambitions to repeat his top form

Man City forward Phil Foden keep talking TNT:

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

“When a team sits so deep, patience is so important and we had to play at our own pace. The manager loves it when you stay true to your role and trust the boys to get the ball to you, that’s something the manager values.”

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

Pep praises Haaland as “incredible”.

Man City manager Pep Guardiola keep talking TNT:

“We played well. I didn’t expect them to defend so deeply. They played offensively in the other games, but they defended so deep that it’s difficult. When we won the game 2-0, it was fine.”

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

How the game ended

What’s coming up in the Champions League?