Two VAR penalty decisions decisive in Paris and Porto
Both Manchester United and FC Porto are through to the quarter final of the 2018/19 Champions League with (converted) VAR awarded penalties securing their respective passage.
Manchester United and FC Porto are both through to the next stage of the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League. Both clubs faced adverse scorelines from the first leg with United trailing 0-2 after a solid PSG display in Manchester. Porto came into their tie against AS Roma in a stronger position taking a 2-1 scoreline back to the Estadio Do Dragao.
United found themselves requiring just one goal on the night as the clock moved into the 90th minute after an early Lukaku brace with PSG replying via Bernat putting the Premier League side ahead on the night 1-2.
In the final minute United pushed forward and Dalot unleashed a goal bound effort with the ball hitting Kimpembe and heading out for a United corner...or that's what we initially thought. The match official then stopped proceedings after VAR advice and upon reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor, returned to award the spot kick.
Rahsford calmly slotted home the kick to give United a 3-1 lead and the overall advantage in the tie. PSG struggled to get the ball forward but it was all in vain as United progress.
Drama in Portugal
VAR was also the protagonist in Portugal as the other tie of the evening went to extra time following a 2-1 win for the home side. With the game apparently locked in stalemate and heading for the lottery of a penalty shoot-out, a crossfield ball from Periera drifted out of play as Porto's Santos failed to latch onto the delivery.
Match official Cuneyt Cakir was advised by VAR to consult the replay after it appeared that Santos' stumble was in fact a push from Roma's Florenzi. Despite the vehement protests from the Giallorossi, Alex Telles slotted home to send Do Dragao into raptures as the Liga Nos side advance in the competition.