Champions League: City draw but reach last 16

Champions League: City draw but reach last 16

Manchester City was held to a goalless draw at Copenhagen but still managed to reach the last 16 of the Champions League. 

The game was dominated by VAR decisions – a red card, a missed penalty and a goal ruled out. 

City managed to qualify for the knockout phase after Sevilla failed to beat Borussia Dortmund in Tuesday’s other Group G fixture.

A dramatic opening saw two contentious decisions set the tone of the match.

Rodi’s 25-yard shot for City was ruled out after Riyad Mahrez was penalised for handling, City was later awarded a penalty when the ball struck home defender Nicolai Boilsen on the arm. But the Copenhagen keeper saved Mahrez’s spot-kick to the delight of the stadium. 

Just five minutes later Pep’s men went down to 10 – after Sergio Gomez was set off, leaving City short for the final hour of the match. 

Erling Haaland was on the bench after a busy start to his City career. Manager Pep Guardiola said, “He finished the game against Southampton so, so tired and didn’t recover well.”