Manchester City came from 2-1 down to beat Schalke 04 3-2 with Raheem Sterling grabbing a last-minute winner in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

England international Sterling latched on to goalkeeper Ederson’s long kick upfield and coolly slotted the decisive goal.

The Premier League champions came into the match as strong favourites and went in front on 18 minutes through Sergio Aguero.

But the game had swung in Schalke’s favour by half-time after a contentious VAR decision and two Nabil Bentaleb penalties.

The first of those spot-kicks came after the intervention of the VAR, who penalised City defender Nicolas Otamendi for handball when the ball struck his arm as he moved it behind his back.

The second was given for a foul by Fernandinho on Salif Sane – the referee sticking with his decision after briefly consulting the VAR.

After being booked for the handball, Otamendi was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Guido Burgstaller in the second half – meaning he will sit out the second leg, as will Fernandinho.

With City heading for a surprise defeat, manager Pep Guardiola sent on former Schalke player Leroy Sane – and the Germany international curled home a free-kick from 30 yards out to level matters, before Sterling struck the winner.

The second leg takes place in Manchester on Tuesday, March 12.

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