Haaland puts on a show as Manchester City sweep aside Sparta Prague
In the goalfest that is Erling Haaland’s remarkable career, the reverse-flick while airborne that beat Peter Vindahl while facing away from Sparta Prague’s goalkeeper is surely a glittering standout. It was Manchester City’s second, coming on 58 minutes, and Haaland’s nonchalant, whadda-you-expect grin illustrated precisely how impressed with his own work he was.
After a victory that began with Phil Foden’s impressive solo effort and which ended in Sparta mangled, City have seven points and – as Opta’s “supercomputer” calculates nine should secure progress to the playoff round, and 15 to the last 16 – Pep Guardiola’s relentless team are in cruise control.