Manchester City advanced to the quarterfinals of the Champions League with a 5-0 victory over Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday.
Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, and a brace from Bernardo Silva scored four goals for Pep Guardiola’s team in the first half.
The Premier League winners cruised to a stunning away victory, with Raheem Sterling scoring twice in the second half.
On March 9, City will host Sporting CP as they continue their quest to win the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
Silva added, “It’s a fantastic performance.” “I honestly think in the first half we weren’t good enough to be 4-0 up.
“I’m from the other side of town, I’m Portuguese.” My mum is Sporting, my dad is Benfica. It was special to score in my hometown, but Manchester still has work to do.”
After a lengthy VAR check, the goal was awarded after Mahrez tapped home from a Kevin de Bruyne cross after seven minutes. The strike was initially flagged for offside, but the goal was given after a lengthy VAR check.
After a cleared Sporting header from a corner, City doubled their lead 10 minutes later when Silva scored a stunning half-volley off the crossbar.
Foden bundled home from close range for the Premier League side’s third goal just after the half-hour mark, and Silva made it 4-0 before the break.
It is the first time since Manchester United’s 7-1 thumping of Roma in 2007 that an English team has scored four goals in the first half of a Champions League knockout game.
Silva believed he claimed his hat trick five minutes into the second half but his header was rightfully ruled out for offside.
Sterling scored his 150th goal for the club moments later, curling a sublime effort into the top corner.
City also became the 14th team in Champions League history to score 200 goals, with more goals on the way as they continue to dominate at home and abroad.
The remainder of the game was controlled by City, who earned their first clean sheet in the Champions League this season.
“I don’t think the players were apprehensive; Manchester City is the finest team in the world, and they destroyed us every time they came into our box,” Sporting coach Ruben Amorim explained.
“The difference was the quality of the players and the manager.”
