“If I tried to do that I’d pull my groin!” - Phil Foden opens up on what he told ‘freak’ Erling Haaland after incredible Champions League goal
Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden has hailed teammate Erling Haaland after his brilliant goal against Sparta Prague in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, October 23. The English champions claimed a comfortable 5-0 win over their Czech opposition, with Foden and Haaland finding the back of the net.
Pep Guardiola had a severely limited roster to call upon for the game, naming a 19-man squad, including three goalkeepers. The Cityzens did, however, manage to find the required level to register a comfortable win, with a moment of magic from Haaland included.
Erling Haaland scored twice in the game for Manchester City, with his first effort a brilliant reminder of the varied finishes at his disposal. His goal left his teammates flummoxed, and fellow goalscorer Foden spoke about it with TNT Sports after the game as he labeled the Norway international as a freak.
"I just spoke to him and said that if I tried to do that I’d pull my groin! I don’t know how he did it I just think it’s just his long legs. He’s a freak, isn’t he? I’ve seen him score one similar against Borussia Dortmund," he said.
Haaland was surrounded by Sparta defenders in the box when Savinho's excellent wing play saw the Brazilian beat his man and deliver a cross into the box. With his back slightly turned to goal, the 23-year-old striker managed to expertly flick the ball past the goalkeeper with a back heel in the air.
Erling Haaland took his tally for Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League to 21 goals in 23 appearances. He has scored three goals in three games in the Champions League this season.
Erling Haaland nets brace as Manchester City make Champions League history
Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City claimed a convincing 5-0 win over Czech outfit Sparta Prague in their UEFA Champions League meeting. The Cityzens made history as they avoided defeat for a 26th consecutive game, bettering the previous longest unbeaten record of 25 in the competition set by Manchester United.
Phil Foden opened the scoring for the home side after just three minutes, but they failed to add another goal for the rest of the first half. Haaland scored his first and his side's second in the 58th minute with an improvised acrobatic finish before John Stones headed home a third six minutes later.
Haaland completed his brace in the 68th minute as he slotted home a Matheus Nunes pass following a powerful run into the box. Nunes added his name to the scoresheet in the 88th minute from the penalty spot to round off the scoring.