Champions League: Manchester City Crash Out On Aggregate In Thrilling Encounter With Tottenham While Liverpool Beat Porto
It was one of the greatest Champions League matches in history at the
Etihad as Tottenham won a quarter-final thriller on away goals after
the tie ended 4-4 on aggregate.
In an astonishing finish, Raheem Sterling was denied by VAR as Manchester City tumbled out of the Champions League to Tottenham.
Raheem Sterling was denied by VAR in injury time as Manchester City’s quadruple hopes came to an end in the most dramatic of circumstances against Tottenham in a classic Champions League quarter-final tie.
The England international thought he had a hat-trick at the death at the Etihad Stadium, but a review showed Sergio Aguero was offside in the build-up as Tottenham progressed via the away goals rule despite losing 4-3 on the night.
Spurs had already been assisted by VAR when Fernando Llorente bundled in from close range 17 minutes from time, which made it 4-4 on aggregate and ultimately booked a semi-final date with Ajax.
A chaotic first half had City 3-2 up at the break. Son Heung-min’s brace cancelled out the opener from Sterling, but the forward restored City’s lead after Bernardo Silva’s fortunate equaliser.
Aguero’s brilliant strike then seemingly put City into the semis before VAR deemed Llorente’s apparent handball to be accidental and Pep Guardiola’s men saw wild celebrations for Sterling’s last-gasp effort curtailed in sensational scenes.
Meanwhile, Liverpool swept aside Porto with a thumping 6-1 aggregate victory to set up a mouth-watering Champions League semi-final tie with Spanish champions Barcelona.
Leading 2-0 from the first leg at Anfield, goals from Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk underscored an accomplished performance by Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The Reds had been forced to survive an early bombardment in the saturated Estadio do Dragao, before Mane opened the scoring with a sliding effort – from Salah’s scuffed shot – which was confirmed by VAR.
Salah stroked in a second after the break from a superb counter-attack before Real Madrid-bound defender Eder Militao pulled a goal back for the hosts.
Liverpool reasserted their authority though with close-range headers from Firmino and Van Dijk sealing an impressive victory.
Remarkably Porto had looked capable of capitalising on a sluggish Liverpool start until Mane’s goal swung the momentum of the second leg back in the visitors’ favour.
Until then Liverpool were the beneficiaries of errant finishing from the home side – with Moussa Marega notably failing to convert any of his five chances in the opening 20 minutes.
Liverpool will face Barca – who beat Manchester United in the last eight – in the first leg of their semi-final at the Nou Camp on Tuesday 30 April.
In an astonishing finish, Raheem Sterling was denied by VAR as Manchester City tumbled out of the Champions League to Tottenham.
Raheem Sterling was denied by VAR in injury time as Manchester City’s quadruple hopes came to an end in the most dramatic of circumstances against Tottenham in a classic Champions League quarter-final tie.
The England international thought he had a hat-trick at the death at the Etihad Stadium, but a review showed Sergio Aguero was offside in the build-up as Tottenham progressed via the away goals rule despite losing 4-3 on the night.
Spurs had already been assisted by VAR when Fernando Llorente bundled in from close range 17 minutes from time, which made it 4-4 on aggregate and ultimately booked a semi-final date with Ajax.
A chaotic first half had City 3-2 up at the break. Son Heung-min’s brace cancelled out the opener from Sterling, but the forward restored City’s lead after Bernardo Silva’s fortunate equaliser.
Aguero’s brilliant strike then seemingly put City into the semis before VAR deemed Llorente’s apparent handball to be accidental and Pep Guardiola’s men saw wild celebrations for Sterling’s last-gasp effort curtailed in sensational scenes.
Meanwhile, Liverpool swept aside Porto with a thumping 6-1 aggregate victory to set up a mouth-watering Champions League semi-final tie with Spanish champions Barcelona.
Leading 2-0 from the first leg at Anfield, goals from Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk underscored an accomplished performance by Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The Reds had been forced to survive an early bombardment in the saturated Estadio do Dragao, before Mane opened the scoring with a sliding effort – from Salah’s scuffed shot – which was confirmed by VAR.
Salah stroked in a second after the break from a superb counter-attack before Real Madrid-bound defender Eder Militao pulled a goal back for the hosts.
Liverpool reasserted their authority though with close-range headers from Firmino and Van Dijk sealing an impressive victory.
Remarkably Porto had looked capable of capitalising on a sluggish Liverpool start until Mane’s goal swung the momentum of the second leg back in the visitors’ favour.
Until then Liverpool were the beneficiaries of errant finishing from the home side – with Moussa Marega notably failing to convert any of his five chances in the opening 20 minutes.
Liverpool will face Barca – who beat Manchester United in the last eight – in the first leg of their semi-final at the Nou Camp on Tuesday 30 April.
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