Penalty chaos as Magdeburg draw with Greuther Fürth
In a crazy game between Magdeburg and Greuther Fürth on Matchday 8, the two teams traded bizarre handball penalties as they played out a 2-2 draw at the Avnet Arena.
The points were shared in Magdeburg as Fürth recovered from a two-goal deficit, but this match was ultimately the story of two penalties. The first of them came with around 15 minutes on the clock, when Nahuel Noll rolled the ball out to Gideon Jung.
What should have been the start of a Fürth push up the field soon ended in a spot-kick for their opponents, as Jung picked up the ball believing his team had been awarded a goal kick. However, it had in fact remained in play, leaving referee Bastian Dankert with little choice but to point to the spot.
There was another twist as Noll saved Mohammed El Hankouri's effort from 12 yards, but the 27-year-old was on the scoresheet moments later after the hosts had got to the rebound first.
Watch: Most Bizarre Penalty Scenes in Bundesliga History
Within three minutes, Magdeburg were two to the good through Martijn Kaars and seemingly on their way to all three points. Yet, out of nowhere, Fürth were handed a lifeline at the other end.
As Roberto Massimo approached the penalty area, he was tackled by Jean Hugonet. Magdeburg's Daniel Heber instinctively thought Dankert had awarded a free-kick and gathered with his hands, but that proved not to be the case. It was, therefore, another unavoidable penalty that Julian Green buried into the corner.
That proved to be a catalyst for Fürth, who equalised through Noel Futkeu midway through the second period. Regardless of the final outcome, though, you will no doubt have to wait a long time to see a pair of more remarkable penalties this campaign!
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