Erling Haaland surpassed Neymar in the Champions League in one area in Man City’s 5-0 win vs Sparta Prague

After his three-game goal drought in the Premier League, Manchester City phenomenon Erling Haaland silenced his doubters once again with a brilliant brace in his side’s 5-0 thrashing of Sparta Prague.

Haaland scored one of his best-ever goals to double City’s lead — getting on the end of an inviting cross from Savinho to finish the move in acrobatic style.

The Manchester City striker looked like he was in the mood to add to his goal tally on Wednesday night — rounding off a slick counter-attack from the hosts by cutting in on his right foot and dispatching the ball into the back of the net.

After opening his account in the Champions League against Slovan Bratislava, the Norwegian international’s two goals means he has now scored three in Europe’s elite competition.

Once again, Haaland showcased why he seems to get up for European nights.

Erling Haaland overtakes Neymar with more Champions League goals as Man City beat Sparta Prague

In the first half, the 24-year-old cut a frustrated figure against Sparta Prague as some of his goal-bound efforts were miraculously saved.

Early into the second half, the two-time Premier League winner’s third header of the night was also stopped from flying past Peter Vindahl Jensen.

However, as Haaland eventually departed the Etihad Stadium with two goals, he also overtook Neymar (43) in the Champions League goalscoring charts with 44 to his name — as per Football on TNT Sports.

The star striker also went level with Chelsea legend Didier Drogba with his 44th goal in the competition.

Another icon of the game who Haaland managed to surpass is former Juventus attacker Alessandro Del Piero.

During his spell at Manchester City in particular, the decorated marksman has made a habit of further raising the bar in the Champions League.

Darren Bent rubbished claims that Haaland was suffering a “crisis” due to failing to score in his last three outings and his latest exploits justified his statement.

Haaland could also surpass Thierry Henry’s Champions League goal tally this season

With Neymar currently playing for Al-Hilal, the only way he will be able to add to his goal tally if he makes a surprise return to Europe.

But even if the Brazilian phenom does so, the former Borussia Dortmund might have established a sizable lead in terms of goals in Europe by that time.

Apart from Neymar, Haaland could also surpass other footballing legends this season. Here is a list of some of the illustrious names.

PLAYER
GOALS

THIERRY HENRY
51

FILIPPO INZAGHI

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC
49

ALFREDO DI STEFANO
49

KYLIAN MBAPPE
49

MOHAMED SALAH
49

EUSEBIO
47

SERGIO AGUERO
47

ERLING HAALAND
44

DIDIER DROGBA
44

via UEFA Champions League’s official website
Haaland will be aiming to overtake such legends of the game, including Thierry Henry, who has 51 goals in the Champions League.

Other legendary names include Zlatan Ibrahimovic (49) and Sergio Aguero (47) to name a few.

If Haaland manages to do so, he could make a case to already be considered as one of the competition’s greatest-ever goalscorers.