Ten-man Manchester City were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw against Copenhagen in Denmark as VAR dominated their Champions League Group G fixture.
2022/2023 UEFA Champions League
0-0
Match Report
Knowing a victory would book their place in the knockout stage with two games to spare, City - who left top goalscorer Erling Haaland on the bench for the first time this season - thought they had struck early at the Parken Stadium but a fine effort from Rodri was disallowed for handball.
The City midfielder fired a crisp shot into the top corner from outside the area after 11 minutes but the referee was invited to check the pitchside monitor by the VAR and ruled the ball had struck Riyad Mahrez's arm in the build-up.
Just over 10 minutes later and it was City's turn to be on the right side of a VAR intervention when they were awarded a penalty for handball midway through the first half after a Manuel Akanji header following a corner struck Nicolai Boilesen's arm.
Mahrez was unable to take advantage, however, with his spot-kick saved by Kamil Grabara.
And more VAR drama followed minutes later as referee Artur Dias went to the screen to check a potential red-card challenge from Sergio Gomez on Hakon Haraldsson on the edge of the area.
The review ended with Gomez being sent off for preventing a goalscoring opportunity and City were forced to reshape and play the final hour with 10 men.
Despite the hosts looking more lively after the break as they went in search of their first goal in the Champions League this season, it was City who continued to probe and create the better chances, but in the end they had to settle for a point. It is the first time Pep Guardiola's side have failed to score this season.
City remain top of Group G on 10 points and will qualify for the knockout stage later on Tuesday if Sevilla fail to beat Borussia Dortmund. Copenhagen remain bottom on one point.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
3' Dangerous! Ederson makes a wrong choice!
10' OFFSIDE! Rodri’s goal disallowed
18' CHANCE! Lerager's shot over the bar
24' Penalty Missed! (Mahrez)
29' Red Card! Sergio Gómez sent off
53' Marko Stamenic’s shot wide out
Line-ups
Copenhagen XI: Nicolai Boilesen, Davit Khocholava, V. Claesson, Lerager, Grabara, Mohamed Daramy, Victor Kristiansen, Hákon Arnar Haraldsson, Valdemar Lund Jensen, Marko Stamenic, Elias Jelert
Subs: K. Johnsson, Ankersen, Ryan, Christian Sörensen, Kevin Diks, Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson, Paul Mukairu, Roony Bardghji, William Clem
Man City XI: Gundogan, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Cancelo, Laporte, Ederson, Grealish, Akanji, Rodri, Sergio Gómez, Julián Álvarez
Subs: Carson, Stefan Ortega, Ake, Ruben Dias, Bernardo, Haaland, Foden, Cole Palmer, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Rico Lewis