MANCHESTER CITY have set a new record for the longest Champions League unbeaten streak… despite going out of the competition to Real Madrid last season.
Pep Guardiola’s side sealed the impressive feat by trouncing Sparta Prague 5-0 at the Etihad last night.
The win made it 26 “unbeaten” in the Champions League for City.
They won the competition in the 2023-24 season to achieve a remarkable Treble.
City’s Champions League defence came to an end in the quarter-finals last term, when they were knocked out by Real Madrid.
The first leg in Madrid finished 3-3, before the Spanish giants triumphed on penalties in Manchester following a 1-1 draw.
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As both games finished level within regulation time, Uefa view them as draws – despite City losing the tie.
This means that in Uefa’s eyes, Guardiola’s men have broken the record of 25 Champions League games unbeaten previously set by Manchester United.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side achieved the feat between 2007 and 2009, winning the 2007-08 competition in Moscow before finally losing to Barcelona in the following year’s Rome final.
City’s win last night also saw them claim the unbeaten run record across all Uefa tournaments, taking into account their Super Cup win in 2023.
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Uefa’s report read: “With tonight’s victory, Manchester City have set a new Uefa competition matches record of 27 games unbeaten.
“This passes Espanyol’s previous mark of 26, achieved between 2006 and 2019, with City having last been beaten in a Uefa fixture by Real Madrid in May 2022.”
Man Utd fans on social media were left unhappy with Uefa’s verdict.
One wrote on X: “Wrong !!!! They lost to real madrid in the champions league last season hahaha community note incoming.”
While a posted: “Can’t accept stats like this when they didn’t win the competition last season. They lost in a penalty shootout. Yes, technically not a match lost but they went out. Knock out football has to have a winner and a loser. That’s the game.”
A third blasted it as “a nonsense stat”.
And another added: “They haven’t. Stop this rubbish. They lost in the UCL semi final last season.”
City’s last recognised defeat in Uefa competitions came in their dramatic 2021-22 semi-final against Real Madrid.
Riyad Mahrez’s goal had given them a 5-3 lead on aggregate, before Rodrygo’s double in the 90th and 91st minutes stunned City and took the tie to extra time.
Karim Benzema then scored a penalty five minutes into extra time to consign City to a 6-5 aggregate defeat.
City have so far gathered seven points from nine available during this year’s revamped League Phase.
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They drew 0-0 with Inter Milan at home on matchday one, in a repeat of the 2023 final.
Goals by Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and James McAtee saw them trounce Slovan Bratislava 4-0 on matchday two, prior to last night’s 5-0 thumping of Sparta Prague.
Man City ratings vs Sparta Prague
By Ken Lawrence
MANCHESTER CITY put in a five star performance as they romped to victory over Sparta Prague.
The Citizens ran out 5-0 winners at the Etihad with Pep Guardiola’s side bagging four goals in the second half.
Phil Foden gave the hosts the perfect start as he fired in the opener inside just three minutes.
Erling Haaland also got himself on the scoresheet in the second half.
The Norweigian striker had plenty of attempts to score, but it was his improvised finish in the 58th minute that found its way past Peter Vindahl Jensen.
John Stones made it three with a brilliant looping header to add to his solid performance at the back.
Haaland got his second in the 67th minute to make it 44 in the Champions League.
Matheus Nunes was also impressed as he netted from the spot in the closing stages, which added to his two assists.
SunSport’s Ken Lawrence has given his ratings of Pep Guardiola’s side…
Stefan Ortega – 5
Almost a spectator, but at least it wasn’t cold or pouring down.
Nathan Ake – 5
Back after injury and unlucky to have City’s second chalked off.
Manuel Akanji – 5
Training games against his own team-mates are far harder than this was.
John Stones – 7
Followed his winner against Wolves with another towering header.
Rico Lewis – 6
The young multi-tasker produced a typical all-action display
Matheus Nunes – 7
He claimed two assists and bagged his first-ever Champions League goal from the spot late on.
Savinho – 5
Supposed to be the new Samba man but didn’t dance that great.
Ilkay Gundogan – 7
The midfielder cruised through the 100th Champions League game of his career.
Bernardo Silva – 6
Quiet, effective and a non-stop cog spinning the City wheel.
Phil Foden – 7
It was a slick early finish in only his fourth start of the season, but the spark faded.
Erling Haaland – 9
Even Pep Guardiola couldn’t quite believe his amazing airborne strike before he added his second.
Subs
Mateo Kovacic (for Bernardo Silva 69) – 5
Couldn’t have had an easier task by the time he emerged.
James McAtee (for Gundogan 69) – 5
A few minutes of Champions League experience with no strain.
Josko Gvardiol (for Ake 74) – 5
Just a pleasant walk in the park….
Ruben Dias (for Stones 74) – 5
He won’t have minded stretching his legs for a bit.
Nico O’Reilly (for Haaland 81) – 5
The young attacker replaced a living legend.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
