Manchester City sealed a dramatic 3-2 Champions League comeback win at Schalke despite being reduced to 10 men and conceding two penalties - one of which was awarded via an extraordinary Video Assistant Referee (VAR) incident.
Sergio Aguero had put the away side in front after an error from Salif Sane but a controversial penalty, awarded by VAR, and another just eight minutes later gave Bentaleb the chance to put the hosts in front.
But Sane, on as a substitute, struck a superb 25-yard free-kick with just five minutes remaining, before Raheem Sterling slotted home in the final minute to secure an incredible comeback for City.
Pep Guardiola had made seven changes from the FA Cup victory over Newport County for the trip to Gelsenkirchen, with Leroy Sane only named on the bench against his boyhood club.
As expected, City began in the ascendency and Aguero had an early chance to break the deadlock but his header was turned over by Ralf Fahrmann.
Fahrmann played it short to Sane but the defender didn't see David Silva coming to close him down. The Spaniard nicked the ball and played an easy pass square to Aguero, who slotted home into an empty net.
The Schalke players protested furiously about the challenge from Laporte on Caligiuri in the build-up but they didn't put the ball out when they had it, somewhat undermining their complaints.
But they would soon get their slice of good fortune with the help of VAR.
Daniel Caligiuri's side shot was charged down inside the area by Nicolas Otamendi and initially the referee Carlos del Cerro Grande pointed for a corner. After a big appeal from the home side and a word in his ear from his colleagues, he consulted the VAR.
Replays showed the ball definitely struck the arm of Otamendi but it was dubious as to whether it was intentional. After a four-minute delay, Mr del Cerro Grande pointed to the spot and cautioned Otamendi, leaving City fuming.
Up stepped former Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb to strike home from the spot and Schalke were level.
And then the tide turned again. After conceding a free-kick, Fernandinho pulled back Salif Sane and the referee had no hesitation this time, nor could there be any complaints. Bentaleb coolly stepped up and sidefooted into the top corner.
Things went from bad to worse for City when Otamendi, on a yellow card, clipped substitute Guido Burgstaller and earned himself an early bath, leaving City trailing by a goal and a man down.
Pep Guardiola sent on Sane with 15 minutes to go and it worked wonders when the German stepped up to take a free-kick from 25 yards out. The 23-year-old hit it with such venom and dip, leaving Fahrmann with no chance, as it nestled into the corner with just five minutes left.
Suddenly City were on top again and after a long punt forward from Ederson, Sterling ghosted in behind Bastian Oczipka to slot home with seconds to go in normal time.
Even despite five minutes of added time being added on, Guardiola's fighters held on to a famous away victory and will certainly be favourites to go through after an emphatic fightback.
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