As the Champions League enters the business end of the group stages, we had some classics thrown up as Europe’s giants collided.
Jose Mourinho managed his first home game as Tottenham manager and it wasn’t without its drama as he saw his new side turnaround a two-goal deficit to qualify for the next stage.
Elsewhere, Real Madrid were held by Paris Saint-Germain, despite Gareth Bale’s best efforts and Juventus toppled Atletico Madrid.
Real Madrid 2-2 Paris Saint-Germain
Kylian Mbappe instigated a dramatic Champions League comeback on Tuesday as Paris Saint-Germain scored twice in two minutes to rescue a draw against Real Madrid and secure first place in Group A.
Madrid dominated the majority of a pulsating contest at the Santiago Bernabeu and looked to have sewn up an impressive victory when Karim Benzema scored his second goal in the 79th minute.
But PSG pulled off an unlikely turnaround as Mbappe capitalised on a defensive mix-up to pull one back in the 81st minute before Pablo Sarabia, once of Real, drove into the top corner in the 83rd for 2-2.
Gareth Bale, who came on as a substitute to another mixed reception from the home fans, almost won it in injury-time but his bending free-kick struck the post.
It means PSG will go through as group winners while Madrid are guaranteed to finish second after Club Brugge drew 1-1 at Galatasaray in the early kick-off.
Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 Olympiakos
Jose Mourinho survived a huge scare on his home debut as Tottenham Hotspur manager as his side came from 2-0 down to beat Olympiakos 4-2 and reach the last 16 of the Champions League.
The Greek champions blew a huge chance to give themselves a shot at reaching the knockout stages after scoring twice in the first 20 minutes through Youssef El Arabi and Ruben Semedo.
Dele Alli pounced on a horrible defensive mistake to breathe new life into Spurs before the break and a second half double from Harry Kane either side of Serge Aurier’s fine strike completed the comeback.
Last season’s Champions League finalists can now look forward to the knockout stages for a third straight season, but will go through in second behind Bayern Munich in Group B after the German giants secured top spot with a 6-0 thrashing of Red Star Belgrade.
Crvena Zvezda 0-6 Bayern Munich
Robert Lewandowski made Champions League history with four goals in 15 minutes as managerless Bayern Munich romped to a 6-0 win at Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday.
It was the fastest four-goal haul in the competition’s history and makes Lewandowski the top scorer in Europe this season with 10 goals in five games.
He also saw a first-half strike ruled out by VAR for a handball in the build-up. Leon Goretzka and Corentin Tolisso also got on the score-sheet in Belgrade, but the night belonged to Lewandowski.
His spectacular goal burst in Belgrade was reminiscent of the five goals he scored in nine minutes in Bayern’s 5-1 Bundesliga win over Wolfsburg in September 2015.
The Poland striker now has 27 goals in 20 games for Bayern this season. Having routed Tottenham 7-2 in London in October, when Serge Gnabry scored four goals, this was another memorable night for Bayern.
Bayern earned their fifth straight win in Europe, having already qualified for the last 16 in the previous round of matches.
They are on course to become the first German club to win all six group stage games before they host Spurs at the Allianz Arena in a fortnight’s time.
Juventus 1-0 Atletico Madrid
Paulo Dybala scored from a near-impossible angle to give Juventus a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid and secure top spot in their Champions League group.
On the stroke of halftime, Dybala curled in a free kick from near the byline that was so powerful goalkeeper Jan Oblak didn’t have enough time to even raise his arms before the ball traveled inside the far post.
“It was a great goal, considering from where I took it,” Dybala said. “It seemed difficult.”
Juventus, who had already qualified for the knockout stage, have an insurmountable 13 points atop Group D while Atletico, who would have qualified with a win, are next with seven points.
Bayern Leverkusen are third with six points after beating Lokomotiv Moscow.
Manchester City 1-1 Shakhtar Donetsk
Manchester City booked their place in the Champions League last 16 for a seventh successive season despite a lacklustre 1-1 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.
Pep Guardiola’s side were well below their best at the Etihad Stadium, but Ilkay Gundogan’s second half strike put them on course to wrap up first place in Group C with one game to spare.
Although Manor Solomon equalised for Shakhtar, Atalanta’s win over Dinamo Zagreb ensured City can’t be knocked off top spot.
With the group clinched, Guardiola has the bonus of being able to rest players for the trip to Zagreb on December 11.
Keep up to date with all the action from the Champions League in our live blog.
Galatasaray 1-1 Club Brugge
Real Madrid’s place in the last 16 of the Champions League had been secured before they kicked a ball after Galatasaray and Club Brugge drew 1-1 in Group A.
Adem Buyuk struck in the 11th minute in Istanbul for Galatasaray but the Turkish champions were pegged by a stoppage-time goal from Krepin Diatta.
The Brugge midfielder was promptly shown a second yellow card for taking his shirt off and teammate Clinton Mata was also dismissed after a second booking for breaking a corner flag while celebrating the goal.
Brugge on three points, one ahead of Galatasaray, play Real at home in their last group match in the hope of making it to the Europa League.
Lokomotiv Moscow 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen are assured of at least a Europa League place after a 2-0 win at Lokomotiv Moscow.
Leverkusen took the lead at Lokomotiv in the 11th minute when a clearance came off Rifat Zhemaletdinov and into his own net.
Sven Bender doubled the tally after the break with a left-foot volley.
Atalanta 2-0 Dinamo Zagreb
Atalanta beat Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 as their first-ever win in the Champions League kept alive their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages.
Luis Muriel converted a penalty in a high-tempo first half and Alejandro “Papu” Gomez doubled their lead two minutes after the interval.
Last-place Atalanta moved to four points in Group C, one behind Dinamo and two behind Shakhtar Donetsk, who they play in their final group match.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
AFCON 2025Q: Poor home form cost us – Otto Addo
7 mins -
Togbe Afede criticises recent Supreme Court rulings as uninspiring and illogical
8 mins -
GPL 2024/2025: Accra Lions remain bottom after draw against Kpando
21 mins -
NDC condemns Dela Edem’s ‘unsavoury and distasteful’ about kufuor; issues public apology
31 mins -
‘Let them burn the sea; don’t return if Parliament is recalled’ – Asiedu Nketiah to NDC MPs
47 mins -
Bawumia’s commitment to excellence will ensure Ghana fulfills its potentials – Prof. Etse Sikanku
53 mins -
Ensign Global College marks 10th anniversary with 9th congregation
60 mins -
Over 80 educational projects to be commissioned this week
4 hours -
Kuami Eugene shows leadership; mobilises fellow artistes for peace song
6 hours -
The JOY Prime Made in Ghana Fair: Why not miss it!
6 hours -
GPL 2024/25: Struggling Asante Kotoko aim to bounce back against high-flying Nations FC
7 hours -
GES Deputy D-G admonishes students to uphold integrity and teamwork
7 hours -
Election 2024: Osabarima Dr Owusu Beyeeman advocates for peace
7 hours -
Fashion at Joy Prime Made in Ghana Fair
9 hours -
Alan Kyerematen wanted me to be his running mate – Okyeame Kwame
10 hours