Pep Guardiola had “nothing to say” on the Spanish officials who awarded Monaco a late penalty in Manchester City’s 2-2 Champions League draw at the Stade Louis II.

A brace from Erling Haaland, with his goals coming either side of a stunning Jordan Teze strike for the hosts, appeared to have City on track to avenge their 2017 Champions League exit at the hands of Monaco.

Yet there was a twist in the tale when Eric Dier went down in the box as City tried to defend a free-kick, replays showing the former England defender had been caught in the face by the boot of Nico Gonzalez.

Referee Jesus Gil Manzano consulted the VAR pitchside monitor as unsavoury scenes between both sets of players and the two benches developed around him. After showing a red card to members of staff from both teams, Manzano pointed to the spot, with Dier tucking home from 12 yards in the 90th minute to earn a point.

Guardiola keeps quiet on officials

Asked for an opinion on the performance of the officials, Guardiola replied: “No. I have nothing to say to the Spanish referees.”

Though he was unwilling to comment on his compatriots, Guardiola had plenty of praise for his players, even if they failed to see the game out.

“In football you have to win with the result,” Guardiola added. “If you analyse the game there were many things that were really good.

“Step by step we will be better but we had many chances. Phil [Foden] in the first half and many players played really good.

“We conceded almost nothing. We created chances, they defended so deep and tight, that it wasn’t expecting for the way they play but we adjusted and we played really good.

“When it’s close, you have to defend and we take the point.”

Hutter praises Dier

Guardiola’s counterpart Adi Hutter praised Dier for converting from the spot after Ansu Fati, the designated penalty taker, had been substituted.

“Eric took responsibility for the situation and did it really well and I was happy for him,” he said.

“In our history over the last three years we were not the best in penalties. We missed so many. In practice I saw Eric is a safe kicker and also with his age, his experience, that was the situation to kick and he did it fantastically.”