Fernando Llorente did handball Tottenham’s crucial third goal during their thrilling Champions League quarter-final victory over Manchester City last night.
A replay has emerged showing the the ball strike the arm of the Spaniard before he bundled it into the back of the net with his hip on 73 minutes – an angle referee Cuneyt Cakir was not shown by VAR.
Llorente’s goal decided the fate of an enthralling contest at the Etihad, for it drew Mauricio Pochettino’s side level on aggregate and put Spurs in the driving seat for a place in the last-four on away goals.
Tottenham needed a goal as they were trailing 4-2 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate
They won a corner that was whipped into the six-yard box by midfielder Christian Eriksen
The ball evaded Vincent Kompany and struck Fernando Llorente on the Spaniard’s arm
It then bounced off his hip and into the net to give Tottenham control of the quarter-final tie
Referee Cuneyt Cakir checked the goal on VAR but he was not shown this angle of the incident
The referee then allowed the goal to stand, a decision that helped Tottenham progress
Fernando Llorente celebrates after scoring a vital third goal for Tottenham at the Etihad
Referee Cakir consults the pitch-side monitor to check for handball after the Spaniard’s goal
Tottenham progressed to the semi-finals after a 4-3 defeat on the night, but their three away goals – ensured by Llorente’s vital intervention – ensured they progressed on the away goals rule.
Llorente’s strike came with less then 20 minutes to play and with his side desperately searching for a goal.
Manchester City had taken a 4-2 lead on the night and a 4-3 lead through Sergio Aguero just before the hour mark.
Tottenham had just come through a sustained period of pressure and secured back-to-back corners, the second of which led to Llorente’s goal.
Tottenham had just survived a period of pressure before Llorente bundled the ball into the net
Sergio Aguero called for handball as Llorente wheeled away to celebrate with the away fans
Cakir returned to the pitch after reviewing the goal and indicated that he saw it Llorente’s hip
Christian Eriksen whipped the ball into the penalty area and as the former Juventus and Athletic Bilbao striker bundled the ball into the net.
Referee Cakir was asked to review the goal by VAR, but adjudged the ball had only struck the forward’s hip.
He was not however shown a different angle, which clearly shows the ball striking Llorente’s arm before it deflects off his hip and into the Manchester City net.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believed the referee made the wrong call.
Speaking after the match, Guardiola said: ‘I support VAR, but from one angle Llorente’s goal is handball.
‘I am fine for the fair decisions, the fair football. The referee must be helped.’
But television pundits were divided on the incident. For former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, the goal should have been ruled out for handball, but fellow BT Sport analyst Glenn Hoddle disagreed.
The decision meant Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino pulled off an extraordinary victory
Llorente was only introduced as a substitute after Moussa Sissoko was forced off due to injury
Pundit Rio Ferdinand believes Llorente did handle the ball for Tottenham’s decisive third goal
Ferdinand told BT Sport: ‘That’s off his arm. I think it’s hit his arm. Watch the skin on his arm.
‘The skin on his arm moves. I’m just saying that the ball has hit his arm, then it’s up to the referee to determine whether it is handball or not.’
He added: ‘I think it’s handball, honestly. I’m not gutted he’s given the goal, but I think it’s handball.’
But Hoddle argued: ‘I think if it hits his arm it doesn’t go in with that power. It’s gone off his hip, off a hard part of his body.’
The home side were later struck again by VAR, albeit correctly.
City took a 5-4 lead on aggregate in stoppage time but Raheem Sterling’s very late strike was sensationally overturned by VAR, who came to Tottenham’s rescue once again as Sergio Aguero was offside in the build-up.
Raheem Sterling thought he had won the tie with a dramatic late goal for Manchester City
The home fans were delirious but were left distraught when VAR overruled the decision
Sergio Aguero (top, left) was offside ahead of Raheem Sterling’s goal on Wednesday night
The review meant heartbreak for Pep Guardiola as VAR overturned the decision due to offside