VAR CONSPIRACY?! Did the Officials Have It Out for Man City? Nathan Ake’s Goal ROBBED!
Nathan Ake believed he had netted a second goal for Manchester City against Sparta Prague, but it was disallowed after a controversial VAR review.
City started strong in their Champions League clash, with Phil Foden opening the scoring just three minutes in by slipping the ball under the opposition goalkeeper. However, after the early goal, City found it difficult to extend their lead, leaving manager Pep Guardiola visibly frustrated on the sidelines.
Early in the second half, Ake thought he had added a second goal for City, finishing from close range. The team celebrated, but VAR stepped in to review the play and determined that Ake had unintentionally handled the ball before it crossed the line. Though his hand was near his body and there was no intention to handle the ball, the updated handball rule does not allow for any contact with the hand, deliberate or not, in the lead-up to a goal.
Fortunately for City, they didn’t have to wait long for their second goal. Just before the 60th minute, Savinho sent a cross to Erling Haaland, who executed an impressive acrobatic backheel to beat Sparta Prague’s goalkeeper, Peter Vindahl Jensen. Five minutes later, John Stones added another with a looping header.
Haaland scored again shortly after to make it 4-0. With this win, City secured seven points in the group stage, positioning themselves well for automatic qualification to the knockout rounds.
