MANCHESTER CITY became the fastest side in Champions League history to score 250 goals as they advanced to the last 16.

And it was fitting that Erling Haaland set the record with a second-half screamer from the edge of the box.

Erling Haaland fired Manchester City into the knockout stages

The Norwegian blasted home a belting finish to make it 3-0

The Norwegian sensation has only played in the previous two Etihad campaigns, but he has proven to be the final piece of the puzzle for the champions.

While the £51.4million talisman remains, it’s safe to believe they’ll continue to shatter goal-scoring records.

Haaland scored twice against the Young Boys of Switzerland for the second time in a fortnight.

There’s a good chance he would have received another match ball had Pep Guardiola not pulled him off with about 30 minutes remaining.

But he knew the job was done: City had qualified for the knockout stages for the 11th consecutive season with minimal controversy.

And their top scorer, who was a worry before the game owing to a twisted ankle, had some rest before the trip to Chelsea on Sunday.

Guardiola stated before the game that it was critical that they finish the job and qualify for the last 16 as soon as possible.

His team selection reflected this, but without important midfielder Rodri, which may have made City fans nervous.

When the Spaniard was suspended for three domestic games earlier this season, his club lost all three.

They also had to make a change immediately before kick-off due to Manuel Akanji’s injury, with skipper Kyle Walker quickly hauled in.

Away victories in Leipzig and Switzerland meant the hard work was done for the reigning champions, but they still needed to complete the job.

But no one expected them not to.

City have won every game at the Etihad this calendar year, all 23 of them, and are unbeaten in 16 matches in this competition dating back to May 2022.

Guardiola’s men had a chance to go ahead early on when Jack Grealish snuck in behind the visitors’ defense and squared for Rico Lewis, but Loris Benito came back to block his shot on the line.

Anthony Racioppi got up to deflect Walker’s low 20-yard free kick and also blocked Phil Foden’s rebound.

City had not scored in this competition in over a year, in October 2022, and it appeared that one was on the way.

Haaland slotted the opener in from the penalty spot

Phil Foden made it 2-0 with a sumptuous finish low into the corner

When Benito tripped Mateo Kovacic within millimeters of the penalty box, the Swiss had already ridden their luck.

A few minutes later, Sandro Lauper’s unnecessary foul on Matheus Nunes crossed the line, and the Belgian referee pointed to the spot.

Haaland took the ball and beat Racioppi from 12 yards, just as he did two weeks earlier at Wankdorf Stadium.

That made it 38 goals in 34 matches in a competition he adores.

It was also City’s 14th goal of the season, despite the Norwegian allegedly not reaching his previous season’s heights.

He looked keen to add to his tally as well and could have had another 10 minutes before the break, but he appeared surprised when Walker’s cross reached him at the back post, and he was unable to react soon enough.

City extended their unbeaten run in the Champions League

Ederson had to get rid of a flare from the pitch

It didn’t matter because the home team extended their lead right before the interval, effectively sealing their passage through the group.

Grealish’s wonderful, sweeping pass allowed Foden to get the better of Ulisses Garcia before placing his shot just out of Racioppi’s grasp.

Despite the score, the traveling Swiss fans were determined to have a good time, waving flags and even flinging their ponchos around.

Even though they knew their Champions League season was over, they lit some sparklers at the start of the second half.

Sandro Lauper picked up two yellow cards to leave Young Boys with ten men

The traveling supporters lit up the away end with sparklers

Haaland, on the other hand, was supplying the fireworks on the pitch for the second time.

He took a feed from Lewis and drifted past his man as he shifted the ball onto his left foot just minutes into the second half.

He then blasted a devastating 20-yard shot back across Racioppi, who had hardly time to react.

It was a huge success.