Dier nets late penalty to deny City win | OneFootball

Eric Dier struck a cool stoppage-time penalty to hand Monaco a battling 2-2 draw with Manchester City in the Champions League, denying Pep Guardiola’s side what looked like a hard-fought away win.

City had dominated large spells of the contest and twice turned to their talisman Erling Haaland, who bagged a first-half brace to underline his remarkable scoring streak. But just as it seemed the points were heading back to Manchester, VAR intervened and Dier kept his nerve from the spot to send the Stade Louis-II into raptures.

It was City who made the brighter start, with Haaland on hand after 14 minutes to pounce on Josko Gvardiol’s through ball and delicately loft it over Philipp Köhn. The Norwegian has now scored in eight consecutive matches for club and country.

Monaco’s response was instant. Only three minutes later Jordan Teze let fly from distance, and his thunderous strike swerved wickedly before crashing into the top corner, leaving Gianluigi Donnarumma with no chance.

Despite that setback, City continued to dictate the tempo. Phil Foden rattled the crossbar and Haaland went close again before finally restoring the lead on the stroke of half-time - rising highest to meet Nico O’Reilly’s teasing delivery and guiding a firm header inside the far post.

After the break Monaco pushed forward with far more intent. Maghnes Akliouche drew a superb save from Donnarumma, while Tijjani Reijnders later clipped the bar from range as the home side refused to lie down. City, by contrast, slowed things down and looked content to manage possession.

The drama arrived late on. With the clock ticking down, Nico González’s raised boot caught Dier in the face inside the box. After a lengthy VAR check and heated exchanges between both sets of players, the referee pointed to the spot. Dier, unfazed by the chaos, buried the penalty to snatch a point.

For Monaco, it means they avoid defeat at home for the tenth straight game - another reminder of how tough they are to beat in their stadium Principality. City, meanwhile, remain without a Champions League away win in five, despite controlling 70% of the ball and creating the clearer chances.

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

11':

Missed opportunity. Tijjani Reijnders from Manchester City attempts a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sails high and to the right. The assist came from Phil Foden.

Manchester City takes the lead against Monaco, making it 1-0. Erling Haaland scores with a powerful left-footed shot from the center of the box, sending the ball high into the net. The assist came from Josko Gvardiol, who delivered a perfectly timed through ball.

15':

GOAL Manchester City: Erling Haaland (Manchester City) scores!

Erling Haaland scores goal number 2 in the competition (2 matches) Erling Haaland scores goal number 136 for his team (155 matches)

It's now Monaco 1, Manchester City 1. Jordan Teze scores for Monaco with a right-footed strike from outside the penalty area, finding the top left corner of the net. The assist comes from Krépin Diatta.

18':

GOAL Monaco: Jordan Teze (Monaco) scores!

Jordan Teze scores goal number 1 in the competition (1 matches)

29':

Opportunity wasted. Tijjani Reijnders from Manchester City took a left-footed shot from the center of the box, but it went just wide to the left. The assist came from Rodri, who set him up with a header.

34':

Missed opportunity! Rodri from Manchester City took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide to the left. Bernardo Silva provided the assist.

Monaco 1, Manchester City 2. Erling Haaland scores for Manchester City with a header from the middle of the penalty area.

44':

GOAL Manchester City: Erling Haaland (Manchester City) scores!

Erling Haaland scores goal number 3 in the competition (2 matches) Erling Haaland scores goal number 136 for his team (155 matches)

54':

Opportunity wasted! Folarin Balogun of Monaco took a right-footed shot from the right side of the six-yard box but failed to find the target. The setup came from Jordan Teze, who delivered a cross following a corner kick.

60':

Opportunity wasted. Mamadou Coulibaly from Monaco attempted a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area.

72':

Missed opportunity! Jordan Teze from Monaco took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area that came close but ultimately went wide of the top left corner. The assist was provided by Mamadou Coulibaly.

75':

Opportunity wasted. Tijjani Reijnders of Manchester City took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area that narrowly missed to the left following a corner kick.

81':

Opportunity wasted. Nico González of Manchester City attempted a right-footed shot from the center of the box following a corner, but it went off target.

It's now 2-2 between Monaco and Manchester City. Eric Dier steps up for Monaco and successfully converts the penalty, striking it with his right foot into the bottom right corner.

90':

GOALMonaco: Eric Dier (Monaco) scores penalty-kick!

Eric Dier scores goal number 1 in the competition (2 matches)

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match