Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was not a happy man after his side were denied a goal by the Video Assistant Referee in the 2-0 defeat to Braga on Thursday.
The Scottish champions had recorded an impressive 1-1 draw at Red Star Belgrade in their opening game and had hoped for a win in their first European home game of the season.
However, they would have to go back to the drawing boards after suffering defeat in front of their home fans on Thursday night.
The Portuguese side drew first blood and were ahead as early as the 20th minute, following a stunning strike from Ricardo Horta.
The Hoops thought they had found the equalizer through the in-form Iheanacho, who fired in a superb finish.
However, following a lengthy VAR review, the goal was disallowed for handball by the Nigerian striker, with the referee not sent to the pitch side monitor.
Braga doubled their advantage late in the second half, after Gabri Martinez found the back of the net to condemn Celtic to a first European defeat of the season.
For the away side however, it was two wins out of two, as they began their campaign on a solid note.
Rodgers unhappy after Iheanacho’s disallowed goal
Speaking after the match, the Celtic manager questioned the decision to overrule his side’s goal, which could have given them a lifeline in the game.
“We changed the structure of the team, came out on the front foot really well, had opportunities and I don’t know why the goal wasn’t given”, a bewildered Rodgers said.
“It’s a real pivotal point in the game. We get the goal at one each and then that breeds the confidence again. I can’t understand why the referee isn’t asked to go and have a look at it.
“I think if you’re looking at that, even if you look at it once, twice and I’m assuming the guys in the VAR will have watched it more than that because of the time it took”, the Celtic boss added.
“There’s absolutely no way from every angle you look at that he’s touched it. So it’s hit his face, he’s gone away and finished it really, really well. That’s a big moment in the game for us.”
