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VAR Drama: Late Hand Ball Scare in Thrilling Match
3 May
Summary
- Hosts led 2-0 before Liverpool mounted a comeback.
- A controversial goal check for handball took three minutes.
- Both teams vie for top-four Champions League qualification.

The game began with the hosts asserting dominance, securing a 2-0 lead within the first 14 minutes. Matheus Cunha opened the scoring early, followed by a second goal from Sesko. This second goal, however, was subject to a lengthy three-minute VAR review due to concerns about a potential handball during the build-up. Ultimately, the referee's decision to award the goal stood, with the Premier League's Match Centre confirming no conclusive evidence of a handball.
Following the break, Liverpool initiated a strong comeback. Dominik Szoboszlai found the net shortly after halftime, narrowing the deficit. Cody Gakpo then equalized in the 56th minute, leveling the scoreline. This hard-fought draw has significant implications for both teams as they compete fiercely to secure qualification for the 2026/27 Champions League season.