Erling Haaland stunned observers around the world with a brace of the most highest order as Manchester City bludgeoned Sparta Prague 5-0 in the UEFA Champions League.
The first of his night and Manchester City’s second was a true moment of magic from Erling Haaland — who defied logic as he virtually backheeled the ball into the back of the net while being mid-air.
Haaland surpassed Neymar’s Champions League goal tally with his second strike as he powered the ball in with his weaker right foot to reach 44 goals in the competition.
Darren Bent discussed Haaland’s three-game goal drought in the Premier League and described him as the best striker in the world; a claim he backed up on Wednesday night.
The Manchester City number nine looked sharp throughout the clash — despite missing a few headers.
For one, two out of the three saves were incredible and secondly, the 24-year-old still managed to generate chances in a game where the hosts often struggled to break the visitors’ low block down in the first half.
Yet, the Etihad Stadium was witness to yet another special two goals from Haaland against Sparta Prague in the Champions League.
Amazed Steve Howey stunned by how high Haaland can his “legs up in the air” after Man City vs Sparta Prague
The Norwegian international will be determined to score goals on a consistent basis after his latest heroics.
For now, the former Borussia Dortmund phenom has every right to celebrate his masterful display in the Champions League.
Speaking on Manchester City’s official post-match live show after they thrashed Sparta Prague, Steve Howey was amazed by how Haaland can routinely reach as high as he can with his legs in the air; a habit that led to his first goal against the Czech side.
“It amazes me sometimes how high he can get up with his legs. As I said, if I did that, I’d be in the hospital.”
“But the goal itself, it’s kind of a hybrid between a scorpion kick and an overhead kick, what a finish!”
Matheus Nunes was stunned by Haaland’s goal against Sparta Prague as well — revealing that he was left “speechless.”
Haaland took zero shots against Wolves but in his latest outing, he seemed fired up to get on the scoresheet.
Erling Haaland acrobatic goal proves why Joleon Lescott compared him to Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Previously, Joleon Lescott has compared Haaland to Zlatan Ibrahimovic due to his rare ability to score acrobatic goals.
“He [Kevin De Bruyne] puts the ball where someone should be and if someone is there you will score. We’ve seen that multiple times. I think there’s been a different element to it since [Erling] Haaland has come because he can put the ball where only he can reach.
“There have been a few passes where there’s probably only him and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the history of the game who could reach it.”
Haaland’s first goal was an example of why he deserves to be likened to the Swedish great in this respect.
Ibrahimovic would likely have been a fan of the two-time Premier League winner’s wonder-goal as well, like Steve Howey was.
