Mahrez has penalty saved as 10-man City held by Copenhagen

A much-changed City side were put through the emotional wringer in the first half. Referee Artur Soares Dias was centre stage as the pitchside monitor was visited on three separate occasions, starting with a disallowed goal for the visitors. Rodri thought he had netted his first UCL goal after sending a rocket into the top corner, but a Riyad Mahrez handball in the build-up cruelly denied him.

Following a long-range Lukas Lerager effort at the other end, VAR was in the thick of it again, this time awarding a penalty for a Nicolai Boilesen handball. Mahrez stepped up to take the spot-kick, but Kamil Grabara was equal to it, firmly pushing the ball away from danger. Just five minutes later, City’s tribulations continued when Sergio Gómez was sent off for hauling down Hákon Arnar Haraldsson when through on goal. The unfortunate Mahrez made way to accommodate for the dismissal, as Pep Guardiola was left with plenty to ponder at the break.

Looking to make the most of their numerical advantage and spurred on by a thunderous home crowd, Copenhagen started the second period confidently. Perhaps unsurprisingly, City remained largely in control of possession, but clear-cut chances were proving hard to come by for either side. With the final quarter-hour approaching, Victor Kristiansen’s dangerous delivery almost found a sliding Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson at the back post, as the search for the game’s first goal continued.

The contest remained in the balance as the FT whistle approached, despite João Cancelo and Marko Stamenic coming close for their respective sides, ultimately ending the visitors’ 100% UCL group stage record. As for Copenhagen, a point likely shuts the door on UCL progression, but the path to the UEFA Europa League remains open ahead of a pivotal fixture with Sevilla.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Kamil Grabara (FC Copenhagen)