RB Leipzig found themselves 3-0 down by half-time at the Etihad during Tuesday night's Champions League action, but they could certainly count themselves unlucky with the crucial decision of the first half.
Erling Haaland's hat-trick saw him pass 30 Champions League goals at the age of just 22, and had City cruising at the break.
His first goal came from the penalty spot - but the decision to award the spot-kick was slammed by football pundits, players, and fans, with Leipzig hard done by with a shocking handball call.
Contentious penalty call gives Manchester City upperhand v Leipzig
RB Leipzig were on the receiving end of some good luck in the first leg against Manchester City three weeks ago, with Josko Gvardiol somewhat fortunate not to see his equaliser disallowed.
There was no such luck for the German side in Manchester on Tuesday night, however - and City were the benefactors of a far more contentious call at the Etihad.
With 20 minutes played, a City corner found its way to Rodri, whose header brushed the arm of Leipzig defender Benjamin Heinrichs.
No, that shouldn't have been a penalty for Manchester City
At this point, they're even making me question what is and isn't a handball. The law needs adjusting pic.twitter.com/tOaBr24cGq— Has the Referee or VAR made a poor decision? (@PoorEPLreferees) March 14, 2023
Heinrichs, however, had his back to play and his arms largely by his side when the ball came to him, and referee Slavko Vincic initially did not see any reason to award a penalty.
After being called to the VAR monitor, however, Vincic was persuaded to award a hugely contentious penalty to Manchester City, much to the disbelief of the RB Leipzig players.
Seconds after restarting the game from Haaland's successful spot-kick, Leipzig would find themselves under pressure again, with Haaland converting a second goal in quickfire fashion to put City in cruise control.
Straight from kick-off! 🤯
Haaland doubles City's lead vs Leipzig in dramatic fashion 🔵 pic.twitter.com/27PXgVZFpl— Watch the UCL on LiveScore 🇮🇪 (@LiveScoreIE) March 14, 2023
Leipzig appeared to lose the head after the penalty was given against them, and it was somewhat understandable, given the mitigating factors that many thought would have seen the referee stick with his on-field decision.
Viewers of the game - including German defender Mats Hummels - took to Twitter to slam the decision of the VAR review.
That was NEVER a penalty.
— Paul Howard (@AkaPaulHoward) March 14, 2023
But genuinely speaking that was the worst penalty call I’ve ever seen in my entire life without exaggeration
— Mod (@CFCMod_) March 14, 2023
We need a change in “handball penalty decisions”. It is going in the wrong direction.
— Mats Hummels (@matshummels) March 14, 2023
Everything is a penalty now. Should just scrap 90 minutes, extra time, and go straight to penalties. #MCIRBL #UCL
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) March 14, 2023
We getting penalties for hypothetical handballs now. Love it
— Jonas Hen Shrag (@JonathanShrager) March 14, 2023
How tf is that a penalty bro, I’m tired of referees 😭
— Trey (@UTDTrey) March 14, 2023
Erling Haaland would go on to score a third in first-half injury time, leaving RB Leipzig reeling after the early acrimony over the penalty decision.
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