Tottenham Hotspur made history last night by advancing into the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time in history.
Despite losing 4-3 on the night to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, the aggregate score of 4-4 saw Mauricio Pochettino’s Lilywhites qualify on away goals.
The Champions League classic played out at the Etihad Stadium will live long in memory of football fans.
Five goals were scored in the first 21 minutes of the tie, before Sergio Aguero put the hosts 4-3 ahead on aggregate when he samshed home in the second half.
The Citizens dreams of the famous quadruple, however, were ruined when Fernando Llorente found the back of the net.
The city players appealed for the handball, but after a dramatic pause which resulted from a VAR check, the goals was given.
A former Premier League official Peter Walton explained why the decision was given after seeing the incident for the second time.
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“I don’t think that’s a handball. The ball has come over and you can clearly see, yes it’s come over, but it’s hit his knee,” he said, speaking on BT Sport (Quoted by Football London).
“What I’m seeing is what I’ve seen first time, it’s come in and it’s hit his knee. If it hit his arm, I can see the referee disallowing the goal.”
The goal put Tottenham ahead on aggregate, meaning that City had to find the net once again in order to qualify.
Sterling’s effort in 93rd minute led to the Etihad erupting with joy, only for VAR to rule out the goal for offside and cut the celebrations short.
After seeing the incident Walton said: “Absolutely correct. In the attacking phase of play, Aguero was offside when he receives the ball and the goal should not stand.”
Spurs will face Ajax Amsterdam in the semi-final of the Champions League which will be played on the 30th of April at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and on the 8th of May at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
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