Manchester City drew 2-2 against AS Monaco in their second match of the 2025/26 Champions League on October 2, at Stade Louis II.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring for Man City in the 15th minute from an assist by Josko Gvardiol. The hosts found their equalizer just three minutes later with Jordan Teze's goal after being set up by Krepin Diatta.
Haaland struck again and took the lead for the visitors from an assist by Nico O'Reilly in the 44th minute. While it seemed that Man City had the win in the bag, Monaco were awarded a late penalty.
City's Nico Gonzalez, who came off the bench in the 61st minute, raised his foot and cleared the ball following a cross with a free kick by Monaco, during which Eric Dier also lowered his head towards the ball, and his face hit the Spaniard's leg.
After a lengthy VAR check by referees Cesar Soto Grado and Jesus Gil Manzano, which also saw chaos on the pitch involving both sides, Monaco were given the chance to equalize with a spot-kick.
Eric Dier successfully converted the penalty for Monaco in the 90th minute.
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Man City head coach Pep Guardiola and his squad appeared not to be in agreement with the referees' decision on the penalty, and speaking after the clash, the Catalan coach refrained from making a comment on that.
What did Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola say?
Despite missing out on adding three points to the Champions League, Guardiola referred to the match as a 'good game,' while sharing his take on his squad's display and told TNT Sports,
"That was a good game. We made some decisions, we created a lot of chances," as per talkSPORT.
"Unfortunately at the end we defended an unfair free-kick not perfectly, and we conceded a penalty that Nico touched the ball first, no intention. But it is what it is. We have a point and we'll take it."
When asked to share his opinion on the decision about Monaco's penalty, Guardiola candidly replied,
"No, I have nothing to say to the Spanish referees."
Guardiola & Co. will now face Brentford in their next Premier League clash on October 5 at Gtech Community Stadium.
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