FC Copenhagen vs Man City LIVE: Champions League result and final score after Sergio Gomez red card
FC Copenhagen 0-0 Manchester City: Pep Guardiola’s side reduced to 10 men after Gomez red card as they fail to score for the first time this season
Manchester City were held to a frustrating draw at FC Copenhagen as Pep Guardiola’s side were made to wait to confirm their place in the Champions League knockout stages.
In a game marred by VAR decisions and overturns, City had an opening goal scored by Rodri ruled out for a handball on Riyad Mahrez. City, who rested Erling Haaland, were then awarded a penalty but Mahrez saw his effort from the spot saved.
And there was a further VAR decision that went against City as left back Sergio Gomez was sent off for pulling back Copenhagen forward Hakon Haraldssonon the edge of the box when he was through on goal.
City’s place in the last 16 could still be confirmed tonight, unless Sevilla beat Borussia Dortmund away from home. Follow all the reaction before Champions League coverage continues with Celtic vs RB Leipzig:
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
17 mins: Close! A corner for Copenhagen is fizzed into the box and misses everyone but curls in towards the goal. Ederson sticks out his left-hand and punches the ball out of the six-yard area before it gets cleared proper by Man City.
NO GOAL! Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
14 mins: Rodri’s opener has been chalked off!
There was a VAR check for a potential handball in the build-up to Rodri’s goal and the replays show that the ball brushed off Riyad Mahrez’s right-hand after Cancelo’s cross was cleared.
It was a deliberate handball but according to the new laws anytime the ball touches an attacking players hand in the build-up to a goal it is a handball.
The referee is called over to the monitor and then overturns the goal.
GOAL! Copenhagen 0-1 Man City (Rodri, 11’)⚽️
11 mins: Beautiful strike!
Joao Cancelo curls the ball into the box but it gets headed out of the box. The ball drops down to Riyad Mahrez who turns away from Valdermar Lund and Marko Stamenic.
Mahrez then dinks the ball over to Julian Alvarez who rolls it back to Rodri. He’s 25-yards out from goal and drills a right-footed effort at goal.
The strike is superb and even though Kamil Grabara gets a hand to it he can’t keep it out.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
9 mins: Save! Julian Alvarez is slipped into the left-side of the box and he makes a run in behind the Copenhagen defence. He takes a snapshot across the box but Kamil Grabara drops low and flicks it wide of the far post.
City start to form up for the corner but the referee awards Copenhagen a goal kick instead!
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
6 mins: City’s corner comes to nothing and they’re forced to send the ball all the way back to Ederson in goal.
He looks for his next pass before fully controlling the ball and it rolls away from him before crossing the byline and gifting Copenhagen a corner of their own.
The home side swing the ball into the area but De Bruyne is up highest to work it clear.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
3 mins: Lovely play from City who send the ball over to Grealish on the left side. He cuts into a more central area before giving it to Riyad Mahrez.
Mahrez floats the ball over to the left wing once more where the ball is brought down by Kevin De Bruyne who curls a left-footed cross into the penalty area and wins City the first corner of the game.
Kick off: Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
Manchester City get the ball rolling in Denmark and work it around the back line before sliding a pass into Kevin De Bruyne. He whips a diagonal ball over to Jack Grealish who miscontrols it on the left wing and puts the ball out of play.
Copenhagen vs Man City
Here come the teams. It’s a full house at the Parken stadium with Manchester City looking to repeat their performance from last week which saw them pump five goals past the Danish side.
Erling Haaland is on the bench but Julian Alvarez is a more than solid replacement and will want to impress tonight.
Kick off is up next...
Guardiola on Haaland
Pep Guardiola says that he didn’t speak with Erling Haaland before dropping him to the bench tonight but added that playing games every three games is stressful on the body and Haaland is being rested this evening.
Speaking about the Norwegian yesterday, Guardiola said: “He is one of the best. I have many very, very good strikers and Erling is one of them,
“He understands quickly and he is a nice guy. He is able to do this for the team, but we need to work together and that has happened. I speak a lot about him, but sometimes I should not have to because the numbers, they do this.”
Copenhagen vs Man City
Copenhagen have only lost one of their 13 home Champions League group games. However, that defeat was to Real Madrid in December 2013 who went on to win the competition that season.
Their last three home matches in the Champions League have finished goalless, the joint-longest such run in the competition - tied with Porto between April and November 2004.
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