Sonny Bill Williams was sent off for the home side for a brutal shoulder charge on Anthony Watson, but the Lions still looked like they’d throw away the game as Beauden Barrett kicked seven penalties for what at one stage was an 18-9 second-half lead.
But despite conceding a total of 13 penalties, the Lions scored tries through Taulupe Faletau and Conor Murray to emerge on top by just three points.
Owen Farrell ended the game with four penalties and a conversion as the England star kicked a late 78th minute penalty which proved to be the difference between the sides.
After being criticised by their own head coach for a lack of physicality in the first Test defeat in Auckland, the Lions produced a ferocious start up front. A huge early hit from Alun Wyn Jones set the tone and while heavy rain made for a number of errors, it was an absorbing contest with Maro Itoje a stand-out performer in the first quarter.
Barrett’s first penalty effort glanced off the post, but the fly-half exchanged kicks with Farrell to make it 3-3. Then, came the game’s controversial moment.
Williams’ failure to use his arms in the tackle saw him hit Watson straight in the head with his shoulder, a move which saw him earn a red card from referee Jerome Garces.
In the process, the giant centre became the first All Black to be dismissed in a Test match since 1967.
Down to 14, the home side reshuffled with Ngani Laumape coming on for his All Blacks debut, replacing flanker Jerome Kaino and filling in for Williams at centre.
It meant Steve Hansen opted to go a man light in the forwards rather than behind the scrum, a move which seemed odd initially given the conditions.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the All Blacks stayed in the game as both sides made a series of handling errors. It allowed Barrett and Farrell, with two more kicks at goal apiece, to make it 9-9 at the break.
The Lions had failed to retain the ball at the end of the first period and the game’s resumption only saw them hinder themselves as they gave away penalty after penalty.
Gatland’s side were poor discipline-wise, failing to make the most of their man advantage. Itoje was one of the main culprits, and only Barrett’s wonky radar kept them in the game.
He kicked one penalty either side of two more misses, but still the Lions seemed desperate to throw the game away. After escaping an earlier sanction for wiping out Barrett, Mako Vunipola saw yellow for the same offence soon after and either side of the card two more Barrett penalties made it 18-9.
Then, out of nowhere, the Lions struck back. Finally some clean handling saw Liam Williams put Faletau over in the corner, the Wales No 8 crashing through Israel Dagg to finish superbly.
Farrell’s conversion went wide.
Barrett hit back straight away with his seventh penalty, but still a thrilling encounter had more drama yet to give.
Powerful running from Jonathan Davies and Jamie George and a lovely Johnny Sexton pass gave the Lions the field position from which Murray sniped over close to the ruck.
This time, Farrell’s conversion was good as he tied the game up at 21-21.
It set up a tense final 10 minutes and when replacement prop Kyle Sinckler was wiped out by Charlie Faumuina, Farrell stepped up for the vital kick as he sent a huge travelling Lions faithful wild at the final whistle.
