PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES
A rejuvenated Manchester City in the second half and a controversial extra time penalty at Parc Des Princes, headline Day One of match day five of the Champions League that saw 22 goals scored in eight games centres.
Manchester City
Just like bull in a china shop, Erling Haaland keeps wrecking and breaking every possible record available.
The exceptional Norwegian striker in the 54 minutes started the comeback for the noisy neighbors.
His second half strike made him the fastest player in Champions League history to reach 40 goals in 35 games.
Meanwhile, Marco Rose’s Leizpig started the brighter of the two sides and took the lead in the 13th minute with a costly error from Manuel Akanji, gifting Lois Openda, an open invitation on goal to slot the pass City’s keeper Stefan Ortega, to send shockwaves around the Etihad.
City responded well to going behind and missed a catalogue of chances, with Ruben Dias and Rico Lewis having the best of them. However, City’s porous defensive display was punished by Leipzig as they doubled their lead on 33 minutes, as Openda burst in behind to get his brace for the night.
Manchester City comeback was completed in the 87th minute as substitute Julian Alvarez finished to spark delirium as City secured top spot in Group G, having won all five matches so far. Here are five talking points from the game.
Manchester City home group record in the Champions League is unmatched with Pep Guardiola side losing only one game in 35, and drawing only six.
Newcastle
The Magpies were on the verge of becoming the first team to keep a clean sheet against PSG in a UCL group stage game since Real Madrid in 2015 and the first team to beat PSG home and away in a single UCL group stage campaign since CSKA Moscow in 2004/05.
All of that history evaporated into thin air after Kylian Mbappé converted a controversial spot kick in the 98th minute.
Tino Livramento was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area. Referee Szymon Marciniak initially waved away protests, but after been told by the VAR to consult the pitchside monitor, he overturned his decision.
That was despite replays showing Ousmane Dembele’s cross coming off Livramento’s chest before it hit his outstretched arm.
Football pundit were swift to call out referee Marciniak, describing his decision to award the penalty as absolutely “ludicrous”.
Gary Lineker after the game said: “How on earth is that a penalty for PSG. Ludicrous!”
BT Sport pundit Jermaine Jenas said: “I think that’s a shocker from the referee. He had such a good game and to give that right at the end, he’s caved to be honest with you.
“I think the players from Paris Saint-Germain put so much pressure on him throughout the match, he’d performed so well, but for that to happen in that moment like that, it doesn’t feel right.
“It’ll be a tough one to swallow for the players but Eddie Howe should be so proud of his team. They’re down to their bare bones, they’ve worked their socks off and they should’ve left Paris with all three points.”
Ally McCoist was on commentary for the broadcaster and was adamant a penalty wouldn’t be given as the process went on, only to see Marciniak point to the spot.
“That is a shambles! Honestly, that’s not on. It hits his chest, goes off his left elbow. If that’s a penalty, we may as well give the game up!” McCoist ranted.
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