Liverpool secured their spot within the Champions League final 16 with a 2-1 victory over Lille on Tuesday, whereas Barcelona staged an exhilarating 5-4 comeback in opposition to Benfica to affix them in advancing.
The Anfield facet are the one staff with a most 21 factors from seven matches on this new, expanded Champions League they usually now know they’ll skip subsequent month’s play-offs and head straight to the final 16 in March.
Mohamed Salah ran clear to present Liverpool the lead at dwelling to a Lille staff who’ve additionally impressed this season and the guests appeared in bother once they had Aissa Mandi despatched off simply earlier than the hour mark.
Jonathan David swept in an equalizer for Lille, however Harvey Elliott’s shot took a depraved deflection on its manner in to present Liverpool the factors.
“We’re happy that we are top eight. That’s the only thing that tells me something because this league table doesn’t tell you anything,” stated Slot when requested about being by way of to the final 16.
The largest drama on the night time, nevertheless, got here within the rain in Lisbon the place Barcelona trailed 4-2 with 12 minutes of the 90 remaining however in some way recovered to win 5-4.
Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis scored a hat trick within the first half-hour for Benfica, together with a penalty, whereas Robert Lewandowski netted from the spot for Barca, who had been 3-1 down on the interval.
Raphinha pulled it again to 3-2 when a clearance by the goalkeeper ricocheted again off the Brazilian’s head and in however a Ronald Araujo personal aim halfway by way of the second half appeared to have secured the win for the Portuguese facet.
However, one other Lewandowski penalty within the 78th minute gave Barcelona renewed hope and Eric Garcia headed within the equalizer within the 86th minute, earlier than Raphinha ran away to settle an unbelievable sport.
“The mentality of the team, they always believe in themselves and this was unbelievable to see,” stated Barcelona coach Hansi Flick.
The Catalans are second with six wins out of seven and can end within the high eight to go straight to the final 16. Benfica, with 10 factors, should nonetheless sweat to achieve the play-off spherical.
Alvarez offers Atletico victory
Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid are third on 15 factors and sure to at the least be within the play-offs after a Julian Alvarez brace secured a 2-1 dwelling victory over Bayer Leverkusen in a sport each groups completed with 10 males.
Atletico had Pablo Barrios despatched off halfway by way of the primary half and Piero Hincapie then put Leverkusen forward simply earlier than the break.
Argentina star Alvarez leveled seven minutes into the second half and Hincapie was despatched off for the Germans earlier than one other Alvarez aim gained it for the house facet within the final minute as they climbed above Leverkusen.
Last season’s Europa League winners Atalanta are additionally assured at the least a play-off place after crushing Sturm Graz of Austria 5-0.
Mateo Retegui, Mario Pasalic, Charles De Ketelaere, Ademola Lookman and Marco Brescianini all scored for the Italians.
Monaco acquired again to successful methods after some disappointing outcomes had seen their marketing campaign stall as Wilfried Singo’s early aim proved sufficient for them to beat Aston Villa 1-0.
Both groups are set to progress to the knockout part and each may nonetheless end within the high eight.
Last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund must also be wonderful regardless of a 2-1 defeat away to Bologna, as substitutes Thijs Dallinga and Samuel Iling-Junior scored a minute aside within the second half after Serhou Guirassy’s early penalty had put the Germans in entrance.
Club Brugge held Juventus to a 0-0 attract Belgium as that duo each look set to undergo to the play-offs at the least whereas PSV Eindhoven are poised to advance following a 3-2 win at Red Star Belgrade.
PSV led 3-0 on the break due to a Luuk de Jong double and a Ryan Flamingo strike, however the latter was despatched off early within the second half and Red Star pulled targets again courtesy of Cherif Ndiaye and Nasser Djiga.
VfB Stuttgart maintained their hopes of reaching the playoffs with a 3-1 win away to Slovan Bratislava, who’ve misplaced each sport.
Jamie Leweling bagged a brace for Stuttgart and Fabian Rieder sealed their victory after Idjessi Metsoko had pulled one again.
Source: www.dailysabah.com