Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte was sent off as his side's late winning goal against Sporting Clube de Portugal was ruled out due to a baffling VAR decision.
The hosts thought they had secured a crucial win against the Portuguese side with Harry Kane scoring in the closing seconds. A long VAR call saw the strike ruled out - a decision that left Italian boss Conte furious.
Spurs had initially headed into the game against Sporting with a win being enough to secure their place in the last-16 of the competition - avoiding the need for a winner-takes-all showdown with Marseille on the final matchday.
They got off to the worst possible start as academy graduate Marcus Edwards gave Sporting the lead in the first-half. Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur equalised for the North Londoners with just ten minutes remaining and from then on, they looked likely to be the only side who would win the game.
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was then sent into raptures as Kane latched onto Emerson Royal's knockdown and powered into the far corner.
Celebrations were however cut short as VAR intervened and after a long delay of over three minutes, the decision was made to rule out the strike due to the Brazilian defender being marginally offside.
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Spurs boss Conte took exception to the decision it is far to say and made his protests known to referee Danny Makkelie. The official in turn did not take too kindly to the former Chelsea and Inter Milan schemer's arguments and was quick to show him a red card on the touchline.
He took further aim at the VAR call during his post-match interview. Speaking to BT Sport following the dramatic late scenes, Conte said: "At the end, I think the ball was in front of Kane. The goal is a goal. We don’t understand the VAR or the line that they put. It is very difficult to comment on this decision and I think VAR is damaging a lot.
"We have to accept. I want to see if ... we are in another big stadium, another big team - if they are ready to disallow this type of goal. I’d like to know this.
"[There was] a lot of injustice. I repeat, I don’t like this type of situation because I see not positive things.. All of the people come inside after the decision to disallow the goal and then came to give me a red card because I’m the most popular person on the pitch.
"We need one point [to qualify] but I don’t understand why we have to go one game when we can finish the qualification in this game. When you invent this type of situation, it is incredible. You create a lot of damage to the club and also big problems.
His sending off will now mean that Conte will not be able to be present for Spurs' crucial next Champions League game against Marseille. The Londoners need to avoid defeat in France to book their spot in the next round of the competition.
Conte's latest indiscretion is not the first time that the Italian has been given his marching orders. There was also a tense incident against former club Chelsea as he faced off with Thomas Tuchel and was then immediately given a red card.
