Phil Foden has revealed what he told Manchester City team-mate Erling Haaland after his ‘amazing’ goal in the Champions League thrashing over Sparta Prague.
Pep Guardiola’s side strolled to a 5-0 win at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, maintaining their unbeaten start to the Champions League and staying on the coat-tails of early joint-leaders Aston Villa and Liverpool.
It took the Premier League champions just three minutes to break the deadlock – Foden showing quick feet and a superb finish to beat the Prague goalkeeper – but City were unable to extend their lead further before half-time.
The floodgates opened after the break, however, with Haaland scoring twice and John Stones and Matheus Nunes also getting on the scoresheet in an emphatic 5-0 victory.
Haaland produced a moment of magic for his first goal, cleverly turning home Savinho’s cross with an acrobatic backheel volley that left his Man City team-mates stunned.
Bernardo Silva was seen with his hands on his head after the inventive finish and Foden told Haaland he would have ‘pulled his groin’ had he even attempted the audacious move.
‘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,’ Foden told TNT Sports.
‘He’s a freak isn’t he. I’ve seen him score one similar against Borussia Dortmund.’
Man City forward Nunes also paid tribute to Haaland, saying: ‘What an amazing goal. I was speechless after that.
‘When he scored a similar goal against Dortmund I was watching on TV so to see this live it was amazing.’
Haaland now has 44 goals in the Champions League – Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record with 141.
City boss Guardiola said: ‘I saw it when the ball came in. It’s unbelievable. He’s a statue. So tall and so flexible.
‘It was very similar to the Dortmund one a few years ago. Unbelievable. I don’t know which was more difficult, both very difficult.
‘He had some chances but it’s difficult. He is literally on the penalty spot with three defenders and two midfielders – he’s always surrounded by five or six players. He’s so fast too that’s maybe why teams defend so deep.’
On his team’s performance, Guardiola added: ‘We were playing good. I didn’t expect them to defend so deep.
‘They played offensively in their other matches but they defend so deep it’s difficult. The moment we broke the game for 2-0 it was fine.’
Foden was pleased to contribute to Manchester City’s victory following a subdued start to the season.
The England star was named Premier League Player of the Season last year but his goal against Sparta Prague was just his second of the 2024-24 campaign.
‘I was the best player last year that’s what everyone wants to see. That’s the standard I’ve set myself and I want to get back to that,’ he said.
‘I don’t feel pressure. I just enjoy the football and don’t think about the outside. But I do put pressure on myself to get better. I always want to push myself.
‘The aim is to hit what I hit last year. I showed over a long season I was consistent.’
Defending champions Manchester City return to Premier League action on Saturday against winless Southampton.
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