Champions League: Real Madrid, Manchester City reach last 16

Superb Sterling proves his worth as City reach last 16

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling celebrates after scoring their first goal against Sevilla during their Champions League Group D match at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Sevilla, Nov 3, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

Raheem Sterling finally showed why Manchester City paid 49 million pounds ($75.55 million) for his services when he inspired them to a 3-1 win over Sevilla and a place in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday.

He got the opening goal after eight minutes to become, at 20 years and 330 days, their youngest scorer in the five seasons they have been in the competition, had a hand in the second, and terrorised Sevilla with mesmerizing runs, feints and passes.

It was a superb performance by the former Liverpool forward that went a long way to justifying City's huge outlay on the young England international in the close season.

Sterling was typically low-key and guarded, as he usually is when talking to the media afterwards, giving the impression he would rather be anywhere else than in front of the cameras.