VAR controversy as Bayer Leverkusen miss penalty moments after Porto have goal ruled out in bonkers CL clash

There were remarkable scenes in Tuesday's Champions League match between Porto and Bayer Leverkusen as the visitors missed a penalty just moments after the home side had a goal disallowed.

The incredible sequence of play came towards the end of the first half, with the match goalless at the time.

After English referee Anthony Taylor had waved away Leverkusen's appeals for a penalty for handball, Porto went straight down the other end and scored through Colombia international Mateus Uribe.

But the home side's celebrations were short-lived, with Taylor instructed by VAR to review the handball incident on the pitchside monitor.

After seeing a number of replays, Taylor decided that Porto defender David Carmo had indeed handled the ball inside his own area, with the English official ruling out Uribe's goal and awarding Leverkusen a penalty instead.

But the German side failed to take advantage of their good fortune, with striker Patrick Schick firing the spot-kick straight at Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Meanwhile in Portugal...

Bayer Leverkusen were denied a penalty and Porto went on to score on the counter attack.

The referee pulls back play and eventually awards Leverkusen a penalty.

Patrik Schick then misses from the spot 😩#UCL pic.twitter.com/V0z5K6d313

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 4, 2022

Bayer might have suspected it would not be their evening earlier in the night, when Chelsea loanee Callum Hudson-Odoi had a goal ruled out for a foul in the build-up.

And so it proved, with Porto going on to claim a 2-0 win thanks to second-half goals from Zaidu Sanusi and Galeno.

To make matters worse for the visitors, they were reduced to 10 men in the closing stages of the match when Jeremie Frimpong was sent off for a second bookable offence.

VAR turning football into a circus

— Dave (@DaveT_96) October 4, 2022

This should never ever be allowed. Footballs ridiculous now.

— Paddy (@PadCelBlu) October 4, 2022

It was a much-needed victory for Porto, who had lost their opening two group games against Atletico Madrid and Club Brugge.

The Portuguese side are now second in the group, level on points with Leverkusen and Atletico - six points behind surprise group leaders Brugge.

Porto and Leverkusen will face each other again on Wednesday when the Primeira Liga side travel to Germany.