Watch the key first half incident that VAR opted out of in Celtic defeat

There was that familiar sinking feeling to Celtic’s Champions League defeat to Lazio.

Five minutes into stoppage time Cameron Carter-Vickers was dispossessed 30 yards from goal, seconds later Pedro was heading the ball across Joe Hart into the net.

It had looked like Luis Palma had put Celtic 2-1 in front late in the first half but after a VAR check the slightest of touches off Daizen Maeda’s boot was detected by VAR with the goal disallowed.

Had VAR checked an incident in the first half as closely Celtic could have been playing most of the match against 10 men.

Challenge on Hatate pic.twitter.com/ZAU56nbgNx

— Celtic Goals (@celticgoalsreal) October 4, 2023

With no obvious threat Elsaid Hysaj jostled with Reo Hatate for the ball then flung his hand towards the Celtic midfielder’s face.

The referee awarded a free-kick, he saw contact but while Hatate received treatment there appeared to be no VAR check for an incident that in another match could have resulted in a red card.

Hysaj escaped without a booking, Lazio retained 11 players then struck deep into stoppage time to take full points from Glasgow.