—- Title-holders Liverpool progressed to the knockout stages of the Champions League as Group E winners after a 2-0 victory over FC Salzburg in Austria.
Two goals in 100 second-half seconds from Naby Keita and Mohamed Salah proved to be the difference between the two sides, who both had a chance of progression heading into the encounter at the Red Bull Arena.
The game could have been different though had the hosts taken one of their six attempts on goal during the first-half, with the forward duo of Hwang Hee-Chan and Erling Braut Haaland proving to be a handful for the Reds’ defence.
They were punished for failing to find their clinical edge as two strikes in quick succession completely changed the complexion of the tie.
Keita’s header from close range was followed by Salah’s finish from an almost impossible angle to ensure the defending champions would enter the round of 16, while Salzburg drop into the Europa League.
Chelsea through
Tammy Abraham tapped home a fine team goal as Chelsea saw off Lille 2-1 at Stamford Bridge to reach the Champions League’s last 16.
England hitman Abraham notched his 13th Chelsea goal in all competitions this term, with Cesar Azpilicueta heading in from Emerson’s corner.
Former Blues striker Loic Remy blasted in an impressive late strike but Chelsea rebuffed the Lille comeback to seal their place in the knockout stages.
Abraham applied the finishing touch to a crisp five-man move to light up a dank west London night, as Chelsea responded admirably to Frank Lampard’s pre-match challenge.
Frustrated boss Lampard had called on his faltering young stars to show tougher “personality” in the wake of Saturday’s 3-1 Premier League loss at Everton.
Chelsea entered Tuesday’s Lille clash with just one win in five matches, with Lampard facing the first tangible test of his Stamford Bridge managerial reign.
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