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October 24, 2024

Man City surpasses Manchester United’s Champions League record of 15 years

• Man City defeats Sparta Prague 5-0 in the Champions League.
• Erling Haaland’s brace was crucial to the overwhelming triumph.
• The team led by Pep Guardiola has now gone 26 games without a loss in Europe.

Manchester City emphatically asserted its dominance in the Champions League on Wednesday night, showcasing its exceptional skill and determination. The team ensured that all three of the top standings were held by Premier League clubs after they netted a staggering five goals against Sparta Prague. This remarkable victory underscores their offensive prowess and grants them the longest unbeaten streak in European Cup history, albeit with some controversy surrounding the achievement.

Following Aston Villa’s impressive triumph over Bologna on Tuesday and Liverpool’s subsequent victory against RB Leipzig on Wednesday, both teams have managed to maintain their perfect records in this season’s fiercely competitive tournament, showcasing their strength and determination. However, Manchester City’s commanding and decisive performance against Sparta Prague was enough to elevate Pep Guardiola’s squad into third place in the standings, thanks to a superior goal difference that distinctly sets them apart from six other teams that boast seven points. This positioning underscores City’s offensive prowess and highlights their resilience and ability to compete at the highest level in European football.

The match did not begin as an outright rout; Phil Foden opened the scoring spectacularly just three minutes into the game, setting the tone for the evening. City had multiple opportunities saved by visiting goalkeeper Peter Vindahl, but the contest took a decisive turn with Erling Haaland’s jaw-dropping backheel volley. Guardiola expressed his “incredible joy” at having Haaland on his team, a sentiment that resonates deeply with fans and pundits, reflecting the striker’s growing impact in the competition. The goal, crafted through a dazzling dribble by Savinho, was a stunning display that could be a contender for the prestigious Puskas Award, effectively breaking Sparta’s defensive resistance and shifting the momentum firmly in City’s favor.

John Stones extended City’s lead with a well-placed goal just six minutes later, followed shortly by another clinical finish from Haaland, who struck again only four minutes afterward, showcasing his relentless pursuit of excellence. Matheus Nunes, who had already made significant contributions with assists for the third and fourth goals, capped off the night by converting a penalty in the dying moments of the match, sealing a comprehensive victory for the home side.

This emphatic victory, a powerful testament to Manchester City’s resilience and determination, marked their remarkable 26th consecutive Champions League game without defeat, breaking the previous record of 25 games set by Manchester United between 2007 and 2009. Pep Guardiola’s talented team not only equaled that record in their last outing against Slovan Bratislava but has now successfully surpassed it, solidifying their place in the annals of European football history. This achievement highlights City’s consistent excellence and ability to perform under pressure, reinforcing their status as one of the premier teams in the tournament.

The reigning champions of Europe have not tasted defeat in this prestigious competition since May 2022, when they fell 3-1 to Real Madrid in the semi-final second leg at the Bernabeu. It’s worth noting that while Madrid eliminated City in penalties during last season’s quarter-final, this occurred outside of regular play and thus did not impact their remarkable unbeaten streak.

Looking ahead, City will aim to extend their impressive unbeaten record to 27 games when they travel to Portugal to face Sporting CP on matchday four early next month. With their current form and confidence soaring, fans will be eager to see if Guardiola’s men can continue their march toward further glory in Europe.

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