French giants, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich became the first sides to qualify for the round of 16, with Manchester United and Roma also recording good wins. https://aclsports.com/6477-2/
Group A
Manchester United 2-0 Benfica
United made it four wins in four to open up a six point lead in the group after a 2-0 win over visitors, Benfica.
Goals from Nemanja Matic and Daley Blind earned United all three points, but the Jose Mourinho led side still need a point to confirm their place in the next round following CSKA Moskva’s win in Switzerland.
Basel 1-2 CSKA Moskva
It was revenge for the Russians, as they defeated Basel 2-1 away thanks to goals from Alan Dzagoev and Portus Wenbloom. The win puts the Russians level on points with Basel, with two games left to play.
Group B
Paris Saint-Germain 5-0 Anderlecht
PSG remained untouchable in the group, following another impressive result as they became the first side to book a place in the next round.
The French giants made it a night to forget for Anderlecht and their Nigerian import, Henry Onyekuru, as they put five goals past the sorry Belgains, courtesy of a Layvin Kurzawa hat trick to secure their fourth win of the season.
PSG have now scored 17 goals, the most goals by a side after four games and conceded none.
Celtic 1-2 Bayern Munich
Bayern joined PSG to book their place in the next round after a 2-1 over Celtic at Celtic Park. The Bavarians continued their resurgence under new manager, Jupp Heynckes, to earn all three points. But remain second, three points behind leaders PSG.
Group C
Roma vs Chelsea
It was a horrible homecoming for Antonio Rudiger and Antonio Conte as a 3-0 loss at the Stadio Olimpico handed Chelsea her first loss of this season. The win takes AS Roma to the top of group C with eight points as Chelsea settles for second spot, a point behind the leaders.
Stephen El Shaarawy opened the scoring with a beautiful strike 39 seconds after kickoff before he doubled Roma’s advantage in the 36th minute to put the hosts in firm control. But unlike the English champions who surrendered a 2-0 lead in England, the Italians added a third in the second half to seal the win as the blues left Rome well-beaten and empty handed.
In the other game of group C, Atletico Madrid struggled against Qarabag FK at the Wanda Metropolitano as a Thomas Partey goal was required to rescue a point for the Spanish team after falling behind to a goal from the visitors in the first half. The hosts tried to get a winner and despite a 59th min red card for Pedro Henrique of Qarabag, the scoreline remained the same.
With three draws in four games, Atletico Madrid must win their last two games at home to Roma and away to Chelsea to keep qualification hopes alive.
Following a disappointing goalless draw in Azerbajan, Diego Simeone’s men would be looking to secure their first win of this UCL campaign when they host Qarabag at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday night.
Group D
Olympiacos vs Barcelona
Barcelona fired blanks in Greece as the Spanish giants failed to confirm their place in the last 16 with a win.
Before this game, Barcelona had a 100% win record in this season’s UCL but the resolute defending from the Greek champions helped them to precious one point at home to Barcelona
The result wouldn’t do much damage to Barcelona’s qualification quest as Juventus also played out a draw away in Portugal against Sporting Lisbon. A Bruno Cesar opener put the home team up as early as the 20th min but a late equalizer from Gonzalo Higuain ensured that Juventus earn a crucial point as the race for round of 16 heats up.
Barcelona lead with ten points, Juventus in second three points adrift and Sporting Lisbon keeps the chase on in third with four points.
