19 April 2023 , 20:45
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Paul Merson cried "he's hit me" as the Sky Sports pundit reacted hilariously to Erling Haaland's missed penalty at the Allianz Arena.
After 36 minutes of the Champions League quarter final second leg between Bayern Munich and Manchester City, the visitors were seemingly gifted a golden chance to put the tie to bed. Dayotchanculle Upamecano, who has earlier had a red card rescinded by VAR, was adjudged to have handled in the area.
Haaland, who had previously scored every penalty taken for City, then endured a lengthy delay after placing the ball on the spot. With Bayern players protesting, and an object then thrown onto the pitch, the Norwegian was forced to bide his time before starting his run up.
But few expected what followed. The prolific striker blasted over the bar, keeping the aggregate score at 3-0 and giving the hosts a lifeline in their bid for an unlikely comeback win.
Watching for Sky Sports News, an excitable Merson was anything but restrained in his response. "Haaland, oh he's hit me, he's hit me!" shouted the ex-Arsenal man, while covering his face with his hands. "He's put it over the bar, I cannot believe what I've just seen.
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Haaland reacts after missing the penalty (Matthias Schrader/AP/REX/Shutterstock)"How many goals he got? I mean he can't believe it. 36 minutes in, it could give them (Bayern) a lift. All of a sudden the place is lifted. I cannot believe what I've just seen."
Normal service however, was restored 12 minutes after the break when Haaland did make it 1-0. It was his 48th goal in all competitions of his incredible campaign.