The Champions League match between Manchester City and Monaco ended in a frustrating 2-2 draw for the English side, with a controversial late penalty awarded to Monaco proving to be the decisive moment. The incident occurred in the 90th minute when Nico Gonzalez was adjudged to have caught Eric Dier with a high boot as both players stretched for a free-kick. Replays indicated that Gonzalez made contact with the ball first, but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervened, and referee Jesus Gil Manzano consulted the pitchside monitor before awarding the penalty.
Former Tottenham defender Eric Dier converted the spot-kick, denying Manchester City a win. The decision sparked angry reactions, with chaotic scenes unfolding as referee Manzano reviewed the play. City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma grabbed the ball and ran towards his coaches, leading to Monaco players chasing after him. The resulting melee saw at least one Monaco coach sent off, and City's captain, Bernardo Silva, was shown a yellow card on his return to his former club.
Despite the late drama, Manchester City had twice taken the lead in the match through Erling Haaland, who marked his 50th Champions League appearance with a brace. Haaland opened the scoring in the 14th minute, with Monaco equalizing through Jordan Teze just three minutes later. Haaland restored City's lead just before halftime, but Dier's late penalty ensured the points were shared.
When asked for his opinion on the penalty decision, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola refused to comment directly, stating, "No. I have nothing to say to the Spanish referees". Despite his reservations about the penalty, Guardiola acknowledged his team's good performance. "In football you have to win with the result," Guardiola said. "If you analyse the game there were many things that were really good... We conceded almost nothing. We created chances, they defended so deep and tight, that it wasn't expecting for the way they play but we adjusted and we played really good... When it's close, you have to defend and we take the point". He also said that his team "could not defend the free-kick well".
Some observers felt that Manchester City should have secured the victory earlier in the match. Phil Foden hit the crossbar in the first half, and Tijjani Reijnders did the same in the second half. Others questioned Guardiola's tactics, particularly his decision to substitute Jeremy Doku instead of Bernardo Silva, whose performance was considered subpar.
The draw leaves Manchester City with four points from their first two Champions League games. Despite the disappointing result, Guardiola remains optimistic, saying, "Step by step we will be better".
