When asked if the 24-year-old’s strike was even normal, Pep Guardiola responded, “For a human being, no. It’s unbelievable. It was an incredible goal, similar to the one he scored against Dortmund a few years ago. Hard to say which was tougher, but both were equally special.”
City now sit comfortably with seven points in the group, and with Opta’s “supercomputer” estimating nine points should secure a playoff spot and 15 guaranteeing a place in the last 16, Guardiola’s squad is cruising. Phil Foden, who Guardiola recently said would “be back soon” to his best, opened the scoring by dancing past three Sparta players and curling a left-footed shot into the bottom corner from around 18 yards.
John Stones and Manuel Akanji played a key role in setting up Foden’s strike, but Sparta, despite being on the back foot, had their moments. Veljko Birmancevic threatened on the counter with a shot that was blocked, and Victor Olatunji nearly lifted spirits in the away end when his chip over Stefan Ortega sailed just over the bar.
Haaland, displaying his usual ruthlessness, almost doubled the lead with a powerful header from the left that drew a gasp from the crowd, only for Vindahl to deny him with a stunning, Gordon Banks-like save. Sparta’s packed away section continued to cheer despite City’s dominance, as they held 81% possession.
Pep, sporting a stylish woolen turtleneck, urged his players to push for more goals. Haaland came close with another header, and City almost paid the price when Birmancevic once again broke free, but Ortega made a crucial save.
The first half ended with City up by just one, as Foden’s shot was saved by Vindahl and Savinho’s effort went wide. Sparta’s low defensive block frustrated City, forcing Guardiola to adjust the strategy by going more direct. A Nathan Aké goal was disallowed for handball, and Guardiola’s protests showed his frustration.
City continued to attack down the flanks, with Savinho sending in crosses that tested Sparta’s defense. Haaland’s stunning backheel, set up by another Savinho delivery, soared over Vindahl, giving City a well-deserved second goal.
John Stones, who scored the winner against Wolves, added a third with a header from a clever Nunes chip. City’s fourth came when Haaland finished with his right foot after collecting Nunes’s pass, and Nunes wrapped up the scoring with a late penalty. Even before the clocks change, City look unstoppable, and as Guardiola remarked, “I’m really enjoying the way we’re playing lately.”