In a night in which Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland failed to Borussia Dortmund to the promise land with his impressive goalscoring abilities, Manchester City had to dig deep to get the better of the Bundesliga outfit i the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal clash. The Citizens kept it late to run away with a vital home win thanks to Phil Foden's 90th minute strike, taking the advantage into the second leg at the home of their disappointed visitors.
Like most night's in the coveted European competition, there was no shortage of drama at the Etihad. Kevin De Bruyne capitalized on a defensive mistake by the visitors and broke the deadlock in the 19th minute, sweeping home a low finish after a well-worked move with Phil Foden.
Not long after came the first big incident in the clash with Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan awarding the Citizens a spot-kick following's Emre Can's tackle on Rodri. Nevertheless, a VAR review overruled the call after it was revealed that there was not enough force in the German's attempted back-heel clearance to take the Spanish midfielder to the ground. While the Man City player escaped booking for diving, the Dortmund star did not have his yellow card for protesting the referee's initial call overturned.
Soon after, Dortmund were denied an equalizer despite legitimately scoring. The shocking decision by the match referee came after Jude Bellingham had pressed Ederson and nicked the ball away from the City goalkeeper. The latter immediately booted the bottom of the Englishman's boot before he could tuck the ball into the empty net. To the dismay of the Dortmund bench and fans, a free-kick rather went the way of Man City.
Foul or no? pic.twitter.com/yWBR2qICRX
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) April 6, 2021
Despite the call, the visitors pressed on and were almost rewarded with a draw after Marco Reus finished off a brilliant move which starred Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland in the 84th minute. However, City will restore their advantage right on the stroke of full-time thanks to Phil Foden.
The cross from KDB. The touch and assist from Gundogan. The finish from Foden. pic.twitter.com/8ka41adyrJ
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) April 6, 2021
In the aftermath of the encounter, one of the linesmen was pictured requesting for the autograph of Dortmund star Erling Haaland in the dugout as the discontented attacker made his way into his side's dressing room.
A referee's assistant should not be asking a player for autographs after a match in the tunnel as happened with Haaland.
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) April 6, 2021
UEFA won't want to see this surely pic.twitter.com/nA94n3k27W
Here is how some reacted to the controversial calls in the night's clash:
This Ref needs checking!
— Jadon Sancho (@Sanchooo10) April 6, 2021
City-Dortmund ref having a shocker.
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) April 6, 2021
That goal should have counted. Very poor officiating by the refs. Dortmund are really unlucky.
— :: (@somedaytolive) April 6, 2021
This ref in the Dortmund game should never be allowed to ref a game of this magnitude again! #UCL
— Zah (@DaMidgetZimbo) April 6, 2021
The ref in the City-Dortmund game
— The Door (@ndorey21) April 6, 2021
MVP for City
Who's let a Championship ref take control of the City Dortmund game?
— Ryan O'Meara (@_omeara_r) April 6, 2021
The ref have absolutely cheated Borussia Dortmund, just seen that Jude goal
— WorldWideChels (@WorldWideCheIs) April 6, 2021
Joke ting
This referee in the City/Dortmund game has had a nightmare. That Bellingham chance was absolutely fine. Keeper kicks Bellingham, goes down like he's been shot, Bellingham gets booked. What a joke and VAR can't look at it because ref blew his whistle! #ChampionsLeague
— Greg Power (@GregJPower) April 6, 2021