PARIS – Liverpool may have the prospect to avenge last season’s Champions League remaining defeat by the hands of Real Madrid after Jurgen Klopp’s facet have been drawn on Monday to face the holders once more in the last 16.

Meanwhile, the opposite standout tie noticed Paris Saint-Germain drawn to play Bayern Munich in a repeat of the 2020 remaining which was gained by the German membership.

Liverpool gained 5 of their six group video games however missed out on high spot to Napoli after dropping 4-1 when the perimeters met in Italy.

The Anfield membership additionally misplaced the 2018 Champions League remaining to Real, who gained their group forward of RB Leipzig.

“They are two historic teams and the tie is going to be electric, fascinating for the fans,” stated Emilio Butragueno, an ideal former Real participant who’s now the director of institutional relations for the 14-time European champions.

Current home type suggests Real must be favourites, with Carlo Ancelotti’s facet unbeaten in La Liga whereas Liverpool are eighth in the Premier League regardless of profitable away to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

However, each golf equipment will lose key gamers to the World Cup and Butragueno acknowledged a lot can change in the three months earlier than the Champions League returns.

“The World Cup is going to condition the whole season. We will see how the players are when they return,” he stated.

PSG solely missed out on topping their group as a result of Benfica scored extra away targets throughout all matches after the perimeters remarkably completed degree on factors, objective distinction, targets scored and face to face.

CHELSEA TO PLAY DORTMUND

That left the Qatar-owned membership uncovered to a troublesome draw, a 12 months on from their painful exit in the primary knockout spherical by the hands of Real.

In phrases of type they may not have gotten more durable than Bayern, who have been the one facet to win all six group matches, regardless of being in a bit with Barcelona and Inter Milan.

The 2020 remaining was performed behind closed doorways in Lisbon on the peak of the pandemic, with Bayern triumphing 1-0. PSG gained revenge the next season by beating the Bavarians in the quarter-finals.

Like PSG, Manchester City have by no means gained the trophy however are additionally one of many main contenders to take action this season.

Pep Guardiola’s facet might be anticipated to get rid of Leipzig, who they confronted in the group stage a 12 months in the past and beat 6-3 at residence earlier than a 2-1 defeat in Germany, by which period they’d already secured first place in the part.

Chelsea, who defeated City in the 2021 Champions League remaining, additionally drew German opposition in the form of Borussia Dortmund, with the golf equipment set to satisfy for the very first time in a aggressive sport in the primary leg on the Signal Iduna Park.

After topping their group due to a last-gasp winner away to Marseille last week, Tottenham Hotspur got a troublesome draw in opposition to Italian champions AC Milan.

They have met at this stage of the competitors earlier than, with Spurs profitable 1-0 on combination in 2010/11 due to a solitary objective at San Siro by Peter Crouch.

Inter will play Porto and last season’s Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt tackle Napoli, whereas Benfica’s reward for profitable their group was a tie in opposition to event outsiders Club Brugge of Belgium.

The first legs of all last-16 ties might be performed in February with the return matches in March.

The remaining of this season’s Champions League might be held in Istanbul on June 10 subsequent 12 months.

The Turkish metropolis was alleged to host the ultimate in 2020 and once more 2021, just for the sport to be moved on every event to Portugal because of the pandemic.

PARIS – Juventus had been knocked out of the Champions League within the group stage for the primary time in 9 years on Tuesday but Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica and Borussia Dortmund all secured qualification for the knockout stage with one group sport to spare.

A 4-3 defeat away to Benfica in Portugal sealed the destiny of a Juventus facet who’ve been in decline in Europe for a number of seasons and have now misplaced 4 of their 5 matches in Group H.

Having already gained when the perimeters met in Italy, Benfica went forward in Lisbon when Antonio Silva headed in an Enzo Fernandez cross.

Moise Kean rapidly equalised for Juve with a objective that was confirmed following a VAR overview, but Joao Mario restored Benfica’s lead from the penalty spot after which arrange Rafa Silva to make it 3-1 earlier than half-time with an outstanding backheel flick.

The identical participant then acquired Benfica’s fourth early within the second half, and a Juventus fightback that produced objectives by Arkadiusz Milik and Weston McKennie got here too late.

Juventus had been knocked out within the last 16 in every of the last three seasons but they haven’t been eradicated from the Champions League within the group stage since 2013/14.

“I am angry and sad because we are out of the Champions League, but we must think about the league now,” stated Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri, whose crew are eighth in Serie A.

MESSI, MBAPPE TURN ON STYLE

Benfica are joined in qualifying from Group H by PSG, with the 2020 Champions League runners-up through after crushing Israel’s Maccabi Haifa 7-2 on the Parc des Princes.

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe each turned on the type, every scoring twice, whereas Neymar netted as soon as and compelled an personal objective from Sean Goldberg.

Carlos Soler accomplished the scoring for PSG as they equalled their very own document for objectives scored in a single European sport.

Abdoulaye Seck scored twice for Maccabi Haifa, and so they may nonetheless end third above Juventus.

Earlier, two-time Champions League winners Chelsea clinched their place within the last 16 as Group E winners, finishing a formidable turnaround after they misplaced their first sport to Dinamo Zagreb in September.

Graham Potter’s facet gained 2-1 away to Red Bull Salzburg, with a shocking Kai Havertz strike 26 minutes from time proving the distinction between the groups after Junior Adamu cancelled out Mateo Kovacic’s opener for the Blues.

Victory prolonged Chelsea’s unbeaten run below Potter to 9 video games.

“That was a fantastic performance from the players,” stated Potter.

“I’m delighted to go through with a game to spare considering where we started the competition.”

AC Milan are best-placed to go through with Chelsea after the Serie A champions gained 4-0 in Zagreb, with Matteo Gabbia heading within the opener and Rafael Leao doubling their lead earlier than Olivier Giroud netted a penalty and a Robert Ljubicic personal objective accomplished the scoring.

Milan at the moment are a degree clear of Salzburg with the groups assembly at San Siro subsequent week to determine which one progresses.

RARE DEFEAT FOR REAL

Dortmund are into the last 16 after getting the purpose they wanted in a 0-0 draw at dwelling to a Manchester City facet who had already certified.

City required only a level to safe high spot in Group G and so they acquired it regardless of taking Erling Haaland off at half-time in opposition to his former membership.

In truth, Pep (*16*) facet may have gotten all three factors but Riyad Mahrez had a second-half penalty saved by Gregor Kobel.

Sevilla will subsequently drop into the Europa League regardless of beating FC Copenhagen 3-0 earlier on Tuesday with second-half objectives by Youssef En-Nesyri, Isco and Gonzalo Montiel.

David Khocholava was despatched off on the finish for Copenhagen, who’ve nonetheless not scored a objective within the group.

Meanwhile, RB Leipzig inflicted a primary defeat of the season on reigning European champions Real Madrid as they took a giant step in direction of becoming a member of the Spaniards in qualifying from Group F.

Joskpo Gvardiol and Christopher Nkunku scored to have Leipzig two objectives forward earlier than Vinicius Junior pulled one again. Timo Werner acquired Leipzig’s third with Rodrygo changing a late penalty for Real because it ended 3-2.

In Scotland, a shocking Mykhailo Mudryk objective gave Shakhtar Donetsk a 1-1 draw away to Celtic, for whom Giorgos Giakoumakis had opened the scoring.

While Celtic are out, Leipzig want only a draw at Shakhtar subsequent week to advance.

PARIS – Erling Haaland continued his exceptional goalscoring type by netting twice as Manchester City thrashed FC Copenhagen 5-0 within the Champions League on Wednesday, whereas Chelsea noticed off AC Milan to revive their hopes of reaching the final 16.

Holders Real Madrid survived a spirited problem from Ukrainians Shakhtar Donetsk on the Santiago Bernabeu to win 2-1 and lengthen their benefit in Group F.

Lionel Messi scored however Paris Saint-Germain have been held to a 1-1 draw by Benfica in Lisbon.

Haaland went into City’s recreation towards Copenhagen on the Etihad Stadium having changing into the primary participant in Premier League historical past to attain three successive residence hat-tricks in Sunday’s demolition of Manchester United.

The Norwegian slammed within the opening purpose on seven minutes along with his weaker proper foot earlier than prodding in a rebound for his second 25 minutes later.

The 22-year-old has now scored 28 occasions in his 22 Champions League appearances, already breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy’s document for many objectives in a participant’s first 30 video games within the competitors.

“I’ve never witnessed anything like it in my life,” City’s Jack Grealish instructed BT Sport.

“For the first and second goals I was just laughing. He is always there.

“The ‘keeper mentioned one thing to me as I used to be strolling again. He mentioned ‘He’s not human!’ I mentioned ‘You’re telling me?’ Hopefully he can keep on this manner and take us to glory.”

Visiting centre-back Davit Khocholava put through his own net, with Haaland waiting behind him, to make it three before half-time.

Haaland was denied a fourth City treble as he was replaced at the interval, but a Riyad Mahrez penalty and Julian Alvarez’s fourth goal for the club completed the rout.

Pep Guardiola’s men remain three points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund in Group G and will qualify for the knockout phase with a victory in the Danish capital next week.

Jude Bellingham scored for the third time in as many Champions League outings as Dortmund romped to a 4-1 victory at Sevilla.

The Spanish club responded to the defeat – and a desperately poor start to the season which has left them 17th in La Liga – by sacking coach Julen Lopetegui shortly after the final whistle.

CHELSEA EASE TO FIRST WIN

Chelsea ended their wait for a win in Group E as goals from Wesley Fofana, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Reece James sealed an impressive 3-0 triumph over Italian champions AC Milan at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues made it back-to-back victories under new boss Graham Potter to set up a crucial clash at the San Siro in six days’ time.

Chelsea are second in Group E, level on points with third-placed Milan, one point behind leaders Salzburg who edged out Dinamo Zagreb 1-0.

“It’s simpler if you win video games,” said Aubameyang. “The temper is superb in the intervening time. We’ll attempt to stick with it.”

Shakhtar put on a battling display in Madrid, with goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin making 11 saves, but could not overcome a two-goal deficit against Real.

Goals in the first half-hour from Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior put Real in control and the 14-time champions made it three wins from three in Group F despite Oleksandr Zubkov’s effort for Shakhtar.

Madrid will be sure of a last-16 spot if they can beat second-placed Shakhtar next time out.

RB Leipzig are just a point behind Shakhtar after Joe Hart’s error helped the Germans down Celtic 3-1.

The former England goalkeeper’s poor pass led to Andre Silva restoring Leipzig’s lead in the second half before the Portugal striker netted again late on.

BENFICA HOLD PSG

Benfica remain level on points with leaders PSG at the Group H summit after a hard-fought draw against one of the tournament favourites.

Messi produced a trademark left-footed finish into the top corner after a neat exchange of passes also involving Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to score his 127th Champions League goal in the 22nd minute.

Benfica levelled four minutes before the break as Danilo Pereira scored an own goal and both sides spurned chances to win in the second half.

Messi only scored 11 goals in 34 games in his first season for PSG last term, but already has eight in 13 this time around.

“It’s regular, it takes a bit time,” PSG skipper Marquinhos told Canal Plus. “Now he feels a bit extra comfy… I hope Leo Messi has an ideal season till the tip to win this title.”

Juventus moved inside 4 factors of the highest two as Adrien Rabiot’s brace and a Dusan Vlahovic purpose gave the Italians a 3-1 victory over Maccabi Haifa for his or her first factors.

PARIS – Erling Haaland scored an acrobatic late winner towards his previous membership as Manchester City beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 within the Champions League on Wednesday, whereas there have been hard-earned victories for Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have been held by Red Bull Salzburg of their first match below new head coach Graham Potter, as Rangers misplaced closely once more and Celtic drew with Shakhtar Donetsk.

In Manchester, Haaland took on the membership he left within the shut season for 60 million euros ($60m, £52m) after two and a half prolific years within the Bundesliga.

Yet it appeared like Dortmund may spring a shock as they went forward simply earlier than the hour mark on the Etihad Stadium when England midfielder Jude Bellingham headed in.

City’s equaliser didn’t come till Kevin De Bruyne arrange John Stones to smash in with 10 minutes left, and Haaland bought the winner within the 84th minute with an outrageous end from Joao Cancelo’s magnificent cross.

Haaland now has 13 objectives in 9 video games for City, who’ve two wins from two in Group G.

“In the end we showed what we are,” Haaland advised BT Sport. “Dortmund were really good today (but) three points is what matters.”

City’s subsequent two video games might be towards FC Copenhagen, who drew 0-0 with Sevilla in Denmark.

In London, Potter took cost of Chelsea for the primary time but needed to accept a 1-1 draw towards Salzburg in Group E, with Raheem Sterling’s opener early within the second half being cancelled out by Noah Okafor.

“It has not been easy for the boys, they have responded to us really well over the last few days and it’s a point we will have to take and get better,” Potter advised BT Sport.

Earlier, group rivals AC Milan beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-1 at San Siro, with Olivier Giroud scoring a penalty earlier than Alexis Saelemaekers and Tommaso Pobega added additional objectives both facet of a Mislav Orsic strike for Dinamo.

LATE GOALS FOR MADRID

Reigning European champions Madrid wanted two late objectives to beat RB Leipzig 2-0 on the Santiago Bernabeu and keep their good begin in Group F.

Federico Valverde opened the scoring 10 minutes from time after being arrange by Vinicius Junior, and substitute Marco Asensio sealed the victory with an incredible first-time end in damage time.

Carlo Ancelotti’s facet are clear on the prime of the part from Shakhtar, who rode their luck to assert a 1-1 draw with Celtic.

The Scottish champions went forward early on when Reo Hatate’s ball into the six-yard field went into the online off Artem Bondarenko.

But Shakhtar, enjoying European house video games in Warsaw because of the struggle in Ukraine, equalised earlier than the half-hour mark through an emphatic end by Mykhailo Mudryk.

Celtic had probabilities to win the sport, none higher than a late strike by Giorgos Giakoumakis that flashed agonisingly extensive.

“We’ll get our rewards if we keep playing that kind of football and showing that kind of commitment,” stated Celtic supervisor Ange Postecoglou.

At least they’ve some extent, in stark distinction to rivals Rangers who misplaced 3-0 at house to Napoli in Group A.

PSG COME FROM BEHIND

In a dramatic second half, Rangers had American defender James Sands despatched off for conceding a penalty which Piotr Zielinski had saved, just for Matteo Politano to attain the rebound.

However, the referee ordered a retake, and Allan McGregor saved from Zielinski once more.

Yet Napoli gained one other penalty halfway by the second half, and this time Politano scored from the spot, earlier than Giacomo Raspadori and Tanguy Ndombele added additional objectives.

The recreation had been postponed by 24 hours on account of policing points associated to the dying of Queen Elizabeth II, and Rangers ignored a choice by UEFA to reject their request to play the British nationwide anthem earlier than kick-off.

Paris Saint-Germain got here from behind to beat Maccabi Haifa 3-1 in Israel as their celebrity entrance three all scored.

Suriname worldwide Tjaronn Chery put the house facet forward just for Lionel Messi to equalise earlier than the break.

Messi then arrange Kylian Mbappe to make it 2-1 halfway by the second half, and Neymar sealed a second win in as many Group H video games for PSG.

Juventus suffered a second straight defeat, although, as they misplaced 2-1 at house to Benfica.

Arkadiusz Milik’s opener for Juve was cancelled out by Joao Mario’s penalty, earlier than David Neres struck Benfica’s winner.

MANCHESTER – Borussia Dortmund know solely too properly of Erling Haaland’s capability to destroy defences within the Champions League, however the German giants could die by the sword they beforehand lived by when they go to Manchester City on Wednesday.

Haaland blossomed into one of many world’s most feared strikers throughout two-and-a-half years in Germany, scoring 86 targets in 89 video games for Dortmund.

Eight video games into his City profession, the enormous Norway striker with a devastating flip of velocity has already scored 12 instances for the English champions.

“His numbers in all his career, not just here but when he was in previous teams, is quite similar,” mentioned City boss Pep Guardiola after Haaland struck twice in a 4-0 win at Sevilla to kick off City’s newest quest to break their Champions League duck.

“He has an incredible sense of goal.”

Haaland’s cut price 60 million euro (£51 million, $63 million) buyout clause meant he had his alternative of golf equipment after he had outgrown his environment within the Bundesliga.

Dortmund could present the right breeding floor for Europe’s prime skills to develop within the early years of their profession, however they can not compete financially with the continent’s wealthiest golf equipment, nor fulfill the ambitions of the world’s greatest gamers in the long run.

Haaland adopted within the footsteps of Jadon Sancho, Christian Pulisic, Ousmane Dembele, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Robert Lewandowski and Mario Goetze as stars of the long run to fly the nest after briefly leaving their mark in western Germany.

However, shedding Haaland could show the largest lack of all with the 22-year-old threatening to rewrite data set by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi that many believed would stay intact for generations.

Haaland’s double in opposition to Sevilla took his tally within the Champions League to 25 targets in 20 video games.

At the identical stage of their careers, Ronaldo, the competitors’s all-time prime goalscorer with 140, was but to rating, whereas Messi struck eight instances in his first 20 matches in Europe’s elite membership competitors.

“I love the Champions League. I have to say this, it’s a big dream for me,” Haaland advised Telemundo Deportes this week as he revealed the competitors’s anthem is the ringtone on his cellphone.

“When I wake up every morning, I listen to this song. It’s my favourite competition.”

Haaland’s haul within the Champions League was additionally why City had been so determined to signal him because the successor to the membership’s all-time prime goalscorer Sergio Aguero.

Under Guardiola, City have received 4 Premier League titles up to now 5 years and 6 in whole stretching again over the previous decade.

Yet, the billions invested within the membership from Abu Dhabi since 2008 have to this point fallen quick when it comes to profitable the Champions League.

The previous two seasons they have come agonisingly shut, shedding their first ever last to Chelsea in 2021 earlier than blowing a two-goal lead in stoppage time of their semi-final in opposition to eventual winners Real Madrid in May.

Any doubts that the recruitment of a celebrity may destabilise the collective effort that has characterised City’s success underneath Guardiola have been blown away inside weeks.

“This fella is going to break virtually every goalscoring record there is,” tweeted former England striker Michael Owen.

“He’s too big, too quick, clinical in front of goal and he’s playing in a team that create dozens of chances.”

Dortmund know what is coming. Halting the momentum of the person mountain they used to name their very own is one other matter.

PARIS – Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland starred Tuesday as Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City made profitable begins in the Champions League group stage, however big-spending Chelsea suffered a shock 1-0 defeat away to Dinamo Zagreb.

Real Madrid rode their luck at occasions earlier than demonstrating their class to kick off their title defence with a 3-0 win at Celtic regardless of the lack of Karim Benzema to harm.

Mbappe confirmed why PSG had been so determined to maintain him on the finish of final season when he appeared set to depart for Real by scoring each objectives in PSG’s 2-1 victory at dwelling to Juventus, to launch the French champions’ quest for the largest prize in European membership soccer.

“We played well and we got a win in a tremendous atmosphere at home,” Mbappe informed Canal Plus.

“We always want to play against big teams – that’s why you play in the Champions League. It’s that sort of atmosphere we love; matches like this, in which you have to show character.”

The France ahead volleyed Neymar’s pleasant scoop previous Mattia Perin in the fifth minute on the Parc des Princes earlier than including one other brilliantly-worked aim halfway via the primary half.

Substitute Weston McKennie headed Juventus again into the sport however PSG held on and are stage with Benfica in Group H. The Portuguese facet beat Maccabi Haifa 2-0 courtesy of objectives from Rafa Silva and Alex Grimaldo.

Pep Guardiola has warned Haaland alone can’t lead City to Champions League glory this season, however the Norway striker saved up his scintillating type for his new crew with two objectives in their 4-0 rout of Sevilla.

“He has an incredible sense of goal. We have incredible numbers in scoring goals, so we want to continue like that,” mentioned Guardiola.

Having already scored 10 occasions in six Premier League outings, Haaland put City in entrance on 20 minutes in Spain as he poked in a Kevin De Bruyne cross.

Phil Foden doubled the lead on the hour earlier than Haaland struck once more. Ruben Dias bagged a fourth to compound the distress for a struggling Sevilla facet.

Haaland faces a reunion subsequent week with previous membership Borussia Dortmund, who eased to a 3-0 win over FC Copenhagen earlier in Group G.

First-half objectives from Marco Reus and Raphael Guerreiro had the hosts cruising, with 19-year-old England worldwide Jude Bellingham delivering a late third.

REAL UP AND RUNNING

Scottish champions Celtic had been left to rue not taking advantage of a vibrant begin in opposition to Real in Glasgow as Callum McGregor rattled the put up earlier than the Spanish giants made their expertise depend.

Vinicius Junior, who grabbed the profitable aim in final season’s remaining, opening the scoring on 56 minutes and Luka Modric quickly doubled the benefit.

Eden Hazard, who got here on for the ailing Benzema, netted his first aim for the membership since January to seal victory.

“It was like two games, first half we suffered a bit with intensity, second half we had control,” Ancelotti informed BT Sport.

“We were not surprised (with Celtic’s start). We knew they could start really fast. We were lucky because they hit the post.”

Shakhtar Donetsk romped to a memorable 4-1 win over RB Leipzig in Germany in the opposite Group F sport.

Shakhtar, who haven’t performed in their dwelling city since 2014, didn’t have any aggressive matches this 12 months till August 23 resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

They have misplaced a number of key gamers since as FIFA allowed overseas gamers and coaches to droop their contracts and go away the membership.

Marian Shved scored twice on his full debut both facet of Mohamed Simakan’s equaliser. Mykhaylo Mudryk and Lassina Traore made positive of the win for Shakhtar.

Chelsea made a depressing begin to their Champions League marketing campaign as Dinamo Zagreb ruined Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s debut.

Thomas Tuchel’s facet had been anticipated to cruise via Group E after being drawn with Dinamo, Red Bull Salzburg and AC Milan.

But their job won’t be so easy after Mislav Orsic’s first-half strike punished the Blues for an additional sloppy show.

Having spent £250 million ($280 million) on new signings for the reason that finish of final season, Tuchel is underneath strain to ship silverware in return for that vast funding.

“We are clearly not there, where we need to be and where we can be. So it’s on me, it’s on us, we need to find solutions. At the moment, everything is missing,” mentioned Tuchel.

Italian champions Milan started with a 1-1 draw at Salzburg as Alexis Saelemaekers cancelled out Noah Okafor’s opener for the hosts.