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 – Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scored a Ninety fifth-minute winner as Tottenham Hotspur got here from behind to beat Marseille 2-1 and attain the Champions League knockout stage on Tuesday, the place they had been joined by Eintracht Frankfurt after their victory at Sporting Lisbon.

Liverpool ended Napoli’s unbeaten begin to the season with a 2-0 success at Anfield, however the Italian membership did sufficient to complete prime of Group A.

Atletico Madrid crashed out of Europe altogether with a loss to Porto, whereas Bayern Munich made it six wins from six matches by beating Inter Milan.

At a raucous Velodrome, Tottenham knew they’d progress if they may keep away from defeat by Marseille, though supervisor Antonio Conte needed to watch from the stands after being red-carded in last week’s dramatic draw with Sporting.

Spurs had been camped inside their very own half for almost all of the primary interval and fell behind simply earlier than the break when Chancel Mbemba headed in Jordan Veretout’s cross after a quickly-taken nook.

The Premier League facet had been a lot improved after the restart and Clement Lenglet glanced in a 54th-minute equaliser.

Former Arsenal left-back Sead Kolasinac nodded an excellent late alternative to ship Marseille by way of broad.

He was made to pay as Hojbjerg struck on the counter as Spurs snatched prime spot within the group and denied Marseille the comfort of a Europa League place.

“I just spoke with Antonio. He’s tired because to watch from the crowd is not normal,” Tottenham assistant coach Cristian Stellini instructed BT Sport. “He wasted a lot of energy.”

That Hojbjerg purpose pushed Eintracht, who additionally gained 2-1, down into second in Group D and saved Sporting in European competitors.

Like Tottenham, Sporting solely wanted some extent to qualify they usually solid forward six minutes earlier than half-time as Arthur Gomes volleyed house on the again put up.

But Frankfurt, enjoying within the competitors for the primary time since shedding the 1960 European Cup last to Real Madrid, didn’t hand over and Daichi Kamada scored a 62nd-minute penalty awarded for handball.

Randal Kolo Muani offered the successful second, latching onto Ansgar Knauff’s hooked move and hammering the ball into the far nook.

The gamers celebrated wildly on the pitch after the Europa League holders’ newest European exploit, with Sporting coach Ruben Amorim left trying surprised on the touchline.

(*16*) stated Frankfurt midfielder Sebastian Rode.

“But we are a comeback team, we gave everything in the second half and deservedly make the next round.”

LIVERPOOL DOWN NAPOLI

Liverpool introduced an finish to Napoli’s 21-game unbeaten run however couldn’t win by 4 targets to take first place.

Both groups had been already assured of a knockout-phase berth.

Liverpool put Saturday’s shock Premier League house loss to Leeds behind them, as late targets from Mohamed Salah, scoring in a fifth straight Champions League sport, and Darwin Nunez gained a measure of revenge for the 4-1 loss in Naples in September.

“I would have really enjoyed the game even without the goals,” Reds supervisor Jurgen Klopp stated.

“We showed tonight a reaction. Being compact makes all the difference.”

Ajax noticed off Rangers 3-1 at Ibrox to inflict a sixth straight defeat in Group A on the Scottish giants.

Earlier, Atletico failed to complete third in Group B and drop into the Europa League as a 2-1 loss at Porto noticed Bayer Leverkusen take third because of their goalless draw at Club Brugge.

Atletico, the 2014 and 2016 runners-up, had been overwhelmed by early targets from Mehdi Taremi and Stephen Eustaquio regardless of Ivan Marcano’s stoppage-time personal purpose.

Bayern completed with a 100-percent file by seeing off Inter 2-0 on the Allianz Arena in Group C.

Benjamin Pavard headed house a nook and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting crashed in his seventh purpose in six video games.

Barcelona’s bitterly disappointing match got here to an finish with a 4-2 victory at backside membership Viktoria Plzen.

Barca should settle with being one of many favourites to win the Europa League.

“We’re one of the candidates, the Europa League is looking like a good competition, the objective is to reach the end and win it, compete for it,” stated coach Xavi Hernandez.

Ferran Torres scored a brace, with Marcos Alonso and teenage midfielder Pablo Torre additionally heading in the right direction.

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.

LONDON – Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United are locked in a stand-off after Erik ten Hag punished the star for his Tottenham tantrum by dropping him from the squad for Saturday’s conflict with Chelsea.

The United boss laid down the regulation after the famous person striker refused to come back on instead within the ultimate minutes of Wednesday’s spectacular 2-0 win in opposition to Spurs at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo and Ten Hag may finish their stormy relationship when the switch window opens in January, however it’s not sure there might be an acceptable purchaser for the 37-year-old regardless of his standing within the sport.

AFP Sport seems to be at what may occur next for Ronaldo.

FIND A CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SUITOR

If Ronaldo’s time at United is coming to an finish, he’ll seemingly be determined to salvage some satisfaction by becoming a member of a membership within the Champions League.

That was his want when he tried to engineer a transfer within the aftermath of United’s failure to qualify for the competitors final season.

But Ronaldo overestimated his personal worth, a stark actuality that grew to become clear when giants corresponding to Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich opted to not transfer for the Portugal worldwide.

Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Napoli have been different golf equipment linked with a participant coming into the twilight of his profession.

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly was reportedly eager on the five-time Ballon d’Or winner regardless of his decline, however then-boss Thomas Tuchel refused to countenance the prospect of introducing the risky Ronaldo to his squad.

With Tuchel since sacked and the extra “collaborative” Graham Potter now in cost at Stamford Bridge, it is going to be intriguing to see if Chelsea make a transfer.

Sporting Lisbon, the Portuguese membership the place Ronaldo began his skilled profession, might be if their former participant, who this month scored his 700th membership purpose, is prepared to just accept an enormous pay minimize.

If United are prepared to tear up the rest of Ronaldo’s contract, which expires on the finish of this season, it might additionally make him extra engaging as it might take away a switch price from the equation.

TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN

Ronaldo reportedly rejected a profitable provide from a Saudi Arabian membership throughout his try to go away Old Trafford, with the participant apparently not prepared to contemplate taking part in exterior Europe’s elite leagues.

But along with his place at United now significantly weakened after the membership took disciplinary measures in opposition to him, it’s attainable that wherever however Old Trafford is now a fascinating vacation spot for the five-time Champions League winner.

Ronaldo is known to have alienated dressing room allies after his touchline tantrum and has reportedly been crucial of Ten Hag’s coaching strategies.

With that in thoughts, resurrecting a transfer to the Gulf might be on the agenda for Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes.

Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, half owned by Ronaldo’s former United team-mate David Beckham and managed by Phil Neville – one other ex-Old Trafford colleague – may additionally be an interesting and profitable possibility.

SWALLOW PRIDE?

If Ronaldo can’t discover a appropriate new membership, would he be prepared to remain at United in a bid to restore his tarnished fame?

Sections of the assist who idolised him in his profitable first spell on the membership from 2003 to 2009 have grown uninterested in Ronaldo’s antics however a ultimate uplifting chapter to his United story can’t be utterly dominated out.

That will largely rely upon Ten Hag, who banished the previous Real Madrid and Juventus star from first-team coaching after dropping him for the Chelsea sport.

Ronaldo has apparently discovered the Ajax supervisor a a lot more durable proposition than the Dutchman’s predecessors Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, who accommodated the ahead final season.

Publicly, Ten Hag insists Ronaldo stays “an important part of the squad”, whereas the striker reacted to his omission from the Chelsea sport by saying he would “keep working hard” to get again within the group.

If Ronaldo and Ten Hag can bury the hatchet, it might be mutually helpful, at the least till the top of the season.

PARIS – Real Madrid and Manchester City each discovered the going robust within the Champions League group stage on Tuesday night time however battled by to attracts that have been sufficient to qualify for the knockout levels.

Paris Saint-Germain and Benfica additionally moved nearer to the last 16 with a draw at Parc des Princes, after Maccabi Haifa had earlier upset Juventus in the identical group.

On a foul night time for Italian titans, AC Milan performed virtually the entire match with 10 males as they misplaced at dwelling to Chelsea.

In Copenhagen, City’s Riyad Mahrez wasted a twenty fifth minute penalty and 5 minutes later defender Sergio Gomez was despatched off.

Pep Guardiola had rested a number of starters, together with Erling Haaland, with an eye fixed to the weekend’s assembly with Liverpool, and his group failed to attain for the primary time in 24 video games, however the coach was content material.

“To play one hour like that is tough. The players gave absolutely everything,” Guardiola mentioned.

Neither Copenhagen nor Sevilla has gained a sport but in Group G and when the Spaniards drew 1-1 in Dortmund within the later match, it ensured Manchester City would advance.

Carlo Ancelotti, the Real Madrid coach, additionally had an eye fixed on an enormous upcoming league sport, the Clasico in opposition to Barcelona on Sunday, and rested a number of starters in opposition to Shakhtar Donetsk in Warsaw.

They virtually paid. Oleksandr Zubkov gave the Ukrainian membership the lead in the beginning of the second half.

The sport had entered the last of 5 minutes added time when Antonio Rudiger leapt to achieve an extended ball ahead and acquired to it simply earlier than goalie Anatoliy Trubin.

As the 2 males fell to the bottom bleeding, the ball went in on a put up to safe Real a 1-1 draw and a last 16 spot.

“We did not play well, but this team never gives up,” Ancelotti mentioned. (*16*)

RB Leipzig climbed to second in Group F, 4 factors behind Real, with a 2-0 win over Celtic in Glasgow.

Kylian Mbappe scored from the penalty spot however Paris Saint-Germain have been held to a 1-1 draw by Benfica in a sport overshadowed by experiences claiming the France star is so sad on the membership he desires to go away in January.

PSG’s soccer advisor took the weird step of talking to tv simply earlier than the kickoff to disclaim experiences Mbappe needed to go away.

“I am with Kylian Mbappe every day and he has never spoken to me about leaving in January,” mentioned Luis Campos.

Joao Mario levelled from the penalty spot for Benfica simply after the hour mark.

‘WE MUST BE ASHAMED’

The end result leaves PSG and Benfica 5 factors away from their two Group H rivals after Maccabi shamed Juventus, 2-0, in Haifa with two objectives from Omer Atzili.

“I’m ashamed of what’s happening right now,” Juventus president Andrea Agnelli instructed Sky Sport Italia.

His coach agreed.

“Agnelli is right when he says we must be ashamed,” mentioned Massimiliano Allegri.

AC Milan began properly in opposition to Chelsea, however the sport turned when Fikayo Tomori fouled his former Chelsea youth team-mate within the 18th minute

Tomori was despatched off and Jorginho transformed the penalty. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang added a second.

“I definitely don’t think the referee has had one of his better evenings,” mentioned Milan coach Stefano Pioli.

Graham Potter, the Chelsea supervisor, appeared lower than satisfied by the purple card.

“It was a big moment, we still felt that we could do enough with 11 v 11 but the referee made a decision and we have to get on with it,” he mentioned.

Chelsea overtook Salzburg on the high of Group E after the Austrians drew 1-1 in opposition to Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.

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 – Liverpool eased to a cushty 2-0 win within the ‘Battle of Britain’ towards Rangers within the Champions League group video games on Tuesday whereas Napoli underlined their credentials with a powerful 6-1 thrashing of Ajax in Amsterdam.

On an evening when a minute’s silence was held earlier than each match in tribute to the 131 victims of the Indonesia stadium tragedy, Bayern Munich and Club Brugge additionally made it three wins from three whereas Inter edged Barcelona in a good contest in Milan.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool went into their Group A recreation towards the Scottish champions on the again of simply three wins of their first 9 Premier League and Champions League video games of the season.

But they settled shortly when Trent Alexander-Arnold produced a elegant free-kick to place the house facet forward after simply seven minutes.

Rangers’ 40-year-old goalkeeper Allan McGregor produced some fantastic saves, together with 4 to disclaim Darwin Nunez his first aim for Liverpool, to maintain his facet within the hunt at half-time.

Seven minutes into the second half, nonetheless, Leon King’s problem caught the legs of Luis Díaz to present away a penalty.

Mohamed Salah stepped up and struck the ball down the center as McGregor was unable to repeat the penalty-saving heroics he produced towards Napoli.

“It was exactly what we needed. It was a super, solid performance,” mentioned Klopp, who switched from his common 4-3-3 formation to a 4-2-3-1.

“Sometimes you have to change things.”

Napoli keep prime of Group A after one other spectacular victory, coming from behind to hammer Ajax 6-1 to take their tally of targets to 13 from three matches.

Mohammed Kudus put the house facet forward within the ninth minute however Luciano Spalletti’s facet bounced again with first-half targets from Giacomo Raspadori, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Piotr Zielinski.

Raspadori added his second two minutes after the restart and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added the fifth simply after the hour.

Ajax’s evening was made worse when captain Dusan Tadic was despatched off after amassing a second yellow card and Giovanni Simeone closed out the win.

‘UNSTOPPABLE’ BAYERN

Bayern moved to the edge of qualification with a 3rd successive win, thrashing Viktoria Plzen 5-0 in Group C.

“We were calm, we dominated and we were in total control,” mentioned Bayern captain and Manuel Neuer.

“When everything is going well, we’re almost unstoppable.”

German worldwide Leroy Sane struck twice, opening the scoring from distance after seven minutes and including a second 5 minutes after the break.

Between Sane’s two targets, Serge Gnabry added a second on 13 minutes earlier than Sadio Mane posted his first Champions League aim for Bayern with quantity three after 21 minutes.

Substitute Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting got here off the bench at half time and added the fifth simply earlier than the hour mark.

Hakan Calhanoglu fired Inter Milan to a 1-0 win over Barcelona on the San Siro which took the Italians into second spot in Group C, three factors behind Bayern.

Inter had misplaced 5 of the earlier 10 matches in all competitions however Turkey midfielder Calhanoglu ended the disaster speak when he lashed in the one aim of the sport on the stroke of half-time.

“It was very important today for us, to show something to our fans who are always with us. We showed that we deserved it,” mentioned Calhanoglu.

Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez, nonetheless, was left fuming after two key handball selections went towards his crew.

The first noticed an equaliser dominated out following a pitch assessment by referee Slavko Vincic for Ansu Fati’s handball simply earlier than the ball dropped to Pedri to tuck house.

Barca had been then denied a stoppage time penalty after VAR officers dominated that Denzel Dumfries didn’t commit a handball offence regardless of touching the ball in a really comparable method to Fati.

“If you ask me I’m outraged… the word is outrage because it makes no sense, it’s an injustice,” Xavi informed reporters.

“I think it’s an injustice, I just can’t hide it.”

Club Brugge additionally claimed a 3rd successive win to proceed their shock cost in the direction of the following spherical.

Kamal Sowah and Ferran Jutgla had been on course as the Belgian facet made brief work of Atletico Madrid in Group B.

Atletico had their possibilities with Antoine Griezmann crashing a penalty off the crossbar. They additionally had a aim dominated out for offside which added to their frustration.

“It’s a very tight group and we will have to fight because we won’t get anything for free,” mentioned Atletico captain Koke.

Club Brugge prime Group B, three factors forward of the opposite three groups after Porto beat Bayern Leverkusen 2-0 with second half targets from Zaidu and Galeno.

Sporting Lisbon’s march in Group D got here to a shuddering halt in Marseille the place the house facet got here from a aim all the way down to win 4-1 and get their first win beneath their belt.

Lisbon nonetheless prime the group with six factors, two forward of Eintracht Frankfurt and Tottenham Hotspur who performed out a goalless attract Germany.

LIVERPOOL – As Liverpool’s fading Premier League title aspirations took one other hit in a 3-3 shootout with Brighton, the membership’s main summer season signing Darwin Nunez watched on from the bench for 89 minutes.

The Uruguayan, recruited from Benfica for an preliminary 75-million-euro ($73 million, £66 million) charge that would rise to 100 million euros, has discovered himself usually sidelined by Jurgen Klopp within the early months of his Liverpool profession regardless of a regarding start to the season for the Reds.

Liverpool have gained simply three of their opening 9 video games of the marketing campaign to fall already 11 factors off the tempo within the Premier League and with work to do to achieve the final 16 of the Champions League forward of Rangers’ go to to Anfield on Tuesday.

Nunez scored twice in his first two appearances as Liverpool beat Manchester City within the Community Shield and salvaged a 2-2 draw at Fulham on the opening weekend of the season.

But he has since failed to search out the online and began simply as soon as since being despatched off on his residence debut for a headbutt on Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen in August.

Realising Nunez’s potential is much from the one concern Klopp has to resolve.

He described the benefit with which Brighton performed via the Liverpool midfield as “horrendous” and a 4-1 thrashing by the hands of Napoli within the Champions League final month as a “horror show”.

The highlight on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive weaknesses have helped masks Virgil van Dijk’s alarming dip in kind.

There stays hope for Nunez that he can observe within the footsteps of Andy Robertson and Fabinho as gamers that took months to regulate to Klopp’s calls for earlier than turning into bedrocks of the German’s Champions League and Premier League triumphs.

But the 23-year-old’s failure to hit the bottom operating has uncovered the excessive wire act Liverpool have pulled off beneath Klopp simply to usually compete with Manchester City for the Premier League title and attain three Champions League finals in 5 seasons.

LITTLE MARGIN FOR ERROR

During Klopp’s seven years at Anfield and Pep Guardiola’s six in cost of City, Liverpool’s internet spend on gamers has been lower than half that of the English champions.

The Reds’ close to flawless recruitment has saved them competing for main trophies, no extra so than final season the place they challenged for an unprecedented quadruple till the ultimate two matches of a 63-game season.

But the need of house owners Fenway Sports Group to stability the books leaves Liverpool with far much less room for error within the switch market than that loved by City, Manchester United and Chelsea.

Questions are already being raised as as to if the cash spent on Nunez ought to have been extra properly invested in rejuvenating an ageing midfield.

Yet, any pleading of poverty from Liverpool will fall on deaf ears this week as Rangers are those making an attempt to bridge an unlimited monetary hole.

Nunez’s preliminary switch charge alone was greater than the Scottish giants’ complete turnover of £54 million within the 2020/21 season.

Despite reaching the Europa League closing final season, Rangers have discovered the step as much as their first style of Champions League soccer in 12 years unforgiving.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s males have been put to the sword in conceding seven objectives to Ajax and Napoli with out reply of their opening two video games in Group A.

“If you look at all the squads we’re facing now, look at Ajax, they sold (players) for over £200m. Liverpool as well,” mentioned Van Bronckhorst.

“For us to compete with them it’s too much to ask.”

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.

PARIS – Bayern Munich obtained the higher of Barcelona as Robert Lewandowski returned to face his former membership on Tuesday, whereas a late Joel Matip purpose allowed Liverpool to beat Ajax and get their Champions League marketing campaign up and operating.

There was additionally a shock defeat for Tottenham Hotspur at Sporting Lisbon, and Atletico Madrid had been crushed on their journey to play Bayer Leverkusen.

Both Spanish guests to Germany got here away on the dropping facet, with Barcelona happening 2-0 on the Allianz Arena in Group C as Lewandowski got here again to the membership he left in the summertime after eight prolific seasons in Bavaria.

The Pole scored a hat-trick on his Champions League debut for Barca because the Catalans beat Viktoria Plzen 5-1 final week.

He was desperately near opening the scoring within the first half in Munich, nevertheless it was Bayern who went in entrance 5 minutes into the second half when Lucas Hernandez headed in from a nook.

Leroy Sane burst by 4 minutes later to make it 2-0 as Julian Nagelsmann’s Bayern made it two wins out of two within the group.

They have now received their final 5 conferences with Barcelona, together with two in final season’s group stage and their 8-2 victory within the 2020 quarter-finals.

“I think for ‘Lewy’ it was really an emotional game to come back – a little bit like coming home, because he was so successful here,” Bayern captain Manuel Neuer informed Amazon Prime of his outdated teammate.

“The luck in the decisive moments wasn’t on his side – and that became our luck.”

Barcelona subsequent face Inter Milan, who obtained their first factors with a 2-0 win away to Plzen within the Czech Republic.

Edin Dzeko and Denzel Dumfries obtained the targets for Inter whereas the house facet had Pavel Bucha despatched off within the second half.

MATIP THE HERO

Liverpool obtained off to a disastrous begin in Group A once they misplaced 4-1 to Napoli in Italy, however they bounced again from that to beat Ajax 2-1 at Anfield.

Mohamed Salah shook off a poor run of type to place Jurgen Klopp’s facet forward within the seventeenth minute, just for the Dutch champions to equalise earlier than the half-hour courtesy of an emphatic end from their thrilling Ghanaian expertise Mohammed Kudus.

Liverpool had been heading for a 3rd recreation with no win in all competitions till Matip rose in entrance of the Kop to move in from a nook within the 89th minute, the ball crossing the road earlier than it might be cleared out.

“I think everybody could see that we understood and that we had to put a completely different shift into the game. The boys did that,” Klopp informed BT Sport.

“We played a lot of good stuff against a hard fighting opposition.”

That match was preceded by a minute’s silence to mark the loss of life of Queen Elizabeth II.

The different recreation in Group A, between Rangers and Napoli, was postponed till Wednesday on account of extreme limitations on police sources in Scotland because of the Queen’s loss of life.

SPURS SHOCKED

Meanwhile Antonio Conte’s Spurs slumped to a 2-0 defeat in opposition to Sporting in Portugal in Group D, with the house facet scoring each targets late on on the Jose Alvalade stadium.

It seemed just like the English facet would escape with some extent after Hugo Lloris produced a shocking late save to disclaim Pedro Porro.

But Paulinho headed in from the ensuing Ninetieth-minute nook, and Brazilian Arthur Gomes got here off the bench to make it 2-0 with an excellent solo strike in damage time.

“It was a difficult result. When you lose the game you are not happy,” admitted Conte.

Sporting prime the group with six factors, whereas Eintracht Frankfurt joined Spurs on three factors due to a 1-0 win in Marseille, with Jesper Lindstrom scoring within the first half.

Leverkusen claimed their first factors in Group B as they beat Atletico 2-0 with two late targets, Robert Andrich and Moussa Diaby each discovering the online.

Belgian champions Club Brugge prime the part with six factors after a shocking 4-0 win at FC Porto.

Former Barcelona striker Ferran Jutgla opened the scoring with a penalty earlier than Kamal Sowah, Andreas Skov Olsen and Norwegian teenager Antonio Nusa all netted within the second half.