Champions League: Raphinha steals show with hat-trick as Barca pip Bayern

Erling Haaland scored an audacious back-heel volley as Manchester City eased to a comfortable 5-0 win over Sparta Praha in the Champions League.

Phil Foden took less than three minutes to fire City ahead with his first attack, but it took until just before the hour for Haaland’s acrobatics to extend the lead further.

John Stones’ header then made it three before a fine second from Haaland – his 44th Champions League goal in 42 appearances —and a late Matheus Nunes penalty rounded off a handsome victory.

Pep Guardiola’s side have now won two of our three Champions League matches so far, as we keep our place in the top-eight sides that qualify automatically for the last-16.

On another match, Raphinha’s stunning hat-trick helped secure an emphatic 5-1 victory over Bayern Munich to end Barcelona’s losing run in this fixture.

The Blaugrana, beaten in their last six meetings against the Bavarian side, got off to a dream start in the opening minute when the Brazilian international rounded Manuel Neuer after latching onto a Fermin Lopez through ball.

Harry Kane levelled via an acrobatic volley before former Bayern forward Robert Lewandowski applied a cool finish to Lopez’s deft touch. Barça skipper Raphinha put the result beyond doubt, claiming the match ball in the process, with two impressive strikes in the space of 11 minutes either side of half-time.

Elsewhere, substitute Marcus Thuram struck three minutes into added time to earn Inter 1-0 win over Young Boys. The Nerazzurri saw Marko Arnautovic brilliantly denied from the penalty spot by David von Ballmoos after the break, with the Young Boys keeper leaping to block the rebound from Denzel Dumfries.

In response, Joel Monteiro’s fine solo run ended with the home forward striking against the foot of a post.

‘Freak’ Haaland hits outrageous goal

Erling Haaland scored an outrageous backheel volley in the Champions League on Wednesday to issue a timely reminder of his own credentials as a potential Ballon d’Or winner. The 24-year-old Norwegian scored twice as City thrashed Sparta Prague 5-0 in the Champions League, but it was his first goal -- a flying back-heeled volley out of the air -- that had social media in a frenzy and left his teammates in awe.