Erling Haaland's spectacular acrobatic effort lit up Manchester City's 5-0 win over Sparta Prague on Wednesday to move into third place in the Uefa Champions League table.

The Norwegian scored twice, including a backheel at shoulder height, as City ran riot against the Czech champions.

Phil Foden, John Stones and Matheus Nunes were also on target for Pep Guardiola's men, who remain unbeaten in all competitions this season.

"He's a freak isn't he," said Foden of Haaland's athleticism. "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."

Sparta had taken four points from their opening two Champions League games against Salzburg and Stuttgart, but City were a step up in class too far for the visitors.

"It became painful in the second half after it went to 2-0. It became very difficult and we had difficulty coping with it," said Sparta coach Lars Friis.

Foden's struggle for form and fitness has compounded City's injury problems with Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne sidelined.

Haaland had nine efforts on goal in total but was frustrated in the first half as Sparta refused to let the floodgates open before the break.

But Haaland did finally deliver City's second with an effort reminiscent of his strike against old club Borussia Dortmund two years ago that won Champions League goal of the season.

"It was an amazing goal – I was speechless after he shot," said Nunes. "When he scored against Dortmund, I was watching on TV and to see this live was amazing."

City are now unbeaten from open play in 26 Champions League matches, setting the longest unbeaten streak by any club.

Victory takes Guardiola's men onto seven points from their opening three Champions League games, behind only Premier League rivals Liverpool and Aston Villa. (AFP)