Raheem Sterling scored a dramatic late winner as Manchester City snatched a remarkable Champions League victory amid VAR and red card controversy in Germany.
Sterling netted in the last minute as City sank Schalke 3-2 in the first leg of their last-16 tie, completing a stunning comeback moments after Leroy Sane equalised with a brilliant free-kick.
Schalke had led 2-1 at half-time after cancelling out Sergio Aguero’s opener with two penalties in the space of seven minutes, the first awarded after a lengthy and farcical VAR delay.
The video official spent more than three minutes analysing whether Nicolas Otamendi had handled a long-range shot from Daniel Caligiuri after a corner had initially been given.
Replays as to whether handling was intentional seemed inconclusive and the referee was unable to review himself because the pitchside monitor was broken, but a spot-kick was still given and Otamendi booked.
Nabil Bentaleb converted and did so again moments later after a foul by Fernandinho, while Otamendi’s frustrations were compounded when he was sent off for a second bookable offence in the second half.
Debate raged afterwards but City manager Pep Guardiola at least tried to defuse any tensions.
“It’s a penalty,” Guardiola said. “I’m a big fan of VAR. The second one is a penalty too.
“It was offside too – so, if we complain about VAR maybe it was offside, but it was a penalty and the red card can be a red card.
“VAR needs time. Next time it will be better.”
Guardiola was pleased with the result at the Veltins Arena, which puts City on course for the quarter-finals, but it proved much harder work than expected and highlighted some shortcomings.