It’s the Spurs’ day from VAR and away
Tottenham advances as negated goal helps end City’s quadruple quest
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND— Fernando Llorente sent Tottenham into its first European Cup semifinal in 57 years and ended Manchester City’s quadruple hopes by scoring the decider in a breathtaking Champions League soccer game that produced seven goals and saw an apparent injury-time winner for City ruled out after a video review.
City won the second leg of an instant-classic quarterfinal, 4-3, at home Wednesday but Tottenham advanced, 4-4 on aggregate, thanks to the away goals rule to set up a meeting with Ajax.
Liverpool also reached the semifinals, and a date with Barcelona, after beating Porto, 4-1 for a 6-1 aggregate win.
Llorente, a backup striker who lives in the shadow of injured Spurs star Harry Kane, nudged the ball into the net in the 73rd minute with his hip — a goal that was only given after a VAR review for a possible handball.
Video review worked in Tottenham’s favour again in stoppage time when Raheem Sterling looked to have secured City’s progress. But as the home fans celebrated and the devastated Spurs players slumped to the turf, the referee determined that Sergio Aguero was offside before crossing to Sterling.
“It’s cruel,” City manager Pep Guardiola said.
The first goal, after four minutes, went to City through Raheem Sterling. Tottenham forward Son Heung-min then netted twice to put City in a position where they had to score three more goals to advance.
They did just that to take a 4-2 lead, only for Llorente — and the VAR — to have the last say.
“It was a very tough game, a very crazy game,” said Son Heung-min, who also picked up a booking that rules him out of the semifinal first leg. “We are very proud of our teammates and I think it’s an unbelievable night. Sometimes you are annoyed with VAR but today it is a case of, ‘Thank you and good decision.’ ”
Sterling got the action started when he received the ball from Kevin De Bruyne and evaded Kieran Trippier before bending the ball into the corner past Hugo Lloris.
Within three minutes, Tottenham regained its aggregate advantage after Aymeric Laporte’s clearance from Lucas Moura’s through-ball set up Son to level on the night.
Laporte was again at fault when he gave the ball away in the 10th on the halfway line, setting Moura free to set up Son to put Tottenham 2-1 up.
Bernardo Silva was left in space on the right flank to collect the ball and poke it through Danny Rose’s legs and into the net.
After that dizzying spell, there was a full 10 minutes before the ball ended up in the net again.
A back-heel from Bernardo Silva set up De Bruyne, who crossed for Sterling to slide in at the back post.
City 3, Tottenham 2. Five goals in 21 minutes but with Tottenham still going through thanks to Son’s first-leg goal.
City scored its fourth in the 59th. Ilkay Gundogan’s cross field pass landed at the feet of De Bruyne, who drove forward before slipping the ball through to Aguero who beat Lloris at his near post with a powerful shot. For the first time on the night, City was in front on aggregate and on course for its second Champions League semifinal.
But the hosts couldn’t close the game out. When Trippier whipped in a corner, Llorente rose and turned the ball into the net with his hip.
The celebrations were put on hold when the referee went to the touchline to confirm the goal was good.
As City chased the goal that would sent them through, Aguero had a header saved by Lloris and an effort from Gundogan was scooped over.
When Sterling did find the net again, VAR intervened to leave the home fans crushed.