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Curious scene! “Watschn” for Haaland – from the referee

As spectacular as the Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City may have been, it was somehow a poor evening for Erling Haaland. He didn't score any of his Citizens' three goals, nor did he record an assist - and in between he even had to take a little "slap on the wrist" from the referee ... 

How? What? Why?

Don't worry, the Norwegian soccer superstar is fine, he won't suffer any lasting damage - and the "attack" by Frenchman Francois Letexier wasn't intentional either.

Fatal lunging hand movement
Simply explained: The official had not long blown the whistle for half-time in the Champions League match when Real defender Dani Carvajal apparently came to him with criticism of a previous scene.

Letexier backed up his justification with a sweeping hand gesture - and caught Haaland, who was stomping off the pitch in frustration, right in the face in his blind spot.

He reacted visibly sourly, but left it at that. The referee was almost more shocked, wincing noticeably when he realized who he had "waved off"...