Guardiola heaps praise on Haaland's 'unbelievable' acrobatic goal

Pep Guardiola was quick to heap praise on Erling Haaland's 'unbelievable' goal in Man City's 5-0 win over Sparta Prague.

The Norwegian forward produced an acrobatic back-heel strike to find the back of the net at the Etihad before scoring for a second time later on in the game.

Haaland's goal caught attention on social media as fans revelled in the impressive strike and City boss Guardiola followed suit shortly after the final whistle.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Guardiola watched the goal back and said: 'Look at that, it's unbelievable! It's unbelievable.

'With his stature, he's so tall and so flexible - look at him! It was quite similar to the goal against Dortmund a few years ago, with Joao Cancelo's exceptional pass.

'But yeah, it's quite similar. I don't know which one is more difficult - maybe you have to ask him!'

City team-mate Phil Foden also lauded Haaland's effort post-match, suggesting he would have ended up on the treatment table had he tried a similarly acrobatic effort.

‘I just spoke to him if I tried to do that I'd pull my groin,' Foden told TNT Sports. ‘I don't know how he does it, I just think it's just his long legs are. He's a freak, isn't he?

‘I've seen him score one similar against Borussia Dortmund. It shows he has this talent that no-one else can do.'

Haaland's athleticism was praised by former Man United defender Rio Ferdinand, who drew the comparison to legendary Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Ibrahimovic earned a reputation for acrobatic goals during his career, including a memorable long-range bicycle kick against England back in 2012.

‘This is Zlatan Ibrahimovic vibes,' Ferdinand said.

That body of theirs is able to get into positions that not many people can do and control the football.

‘You have got to know your body and know you can take your body to that kind of extreme. He is obviously doing a lot of stuff off the pitch that enables him to do that'.