CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Goals galore from Ajax, City and Real as Liverpool win again in Metropolitano
LONDON: Ajax, Real Madrid and Manchester City were big winners on Tuesday night in the Champions League, while Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid in the same stadium where they won the tournament in 2019.
The old Dutch masters of Ajax blew Dortmund away in Amsterdam, scoring through a Marco Reus own goal in the 11th minute and not letting up afterwards. Former Manchester United defender Daley Blind scored a second in the 25th minute, with a disjointed Dortmund no match for the flying Dutchmen.
Anthony scored a third just before the hour mark, before Sebastien Haller scored his sixth Champions League goal of the season in the 72nd minute. Ajax have won all three of their Group C matches to take a stranglehold on proceedings.
The other tie in the group saw Sporting Lisbon dominant in beating Besiktas 4-1 in Turkey.
After racing into a 15th minute through Sebastian Coates, they were pegged back in the 24th minute before Coates scored a second a few minutes later.
From then on, the Portuguese side took charge, scoring a third before half time and adding a fourth just before the full-time whistle. It was a must-win for both sides, but it was Sporting who were supreme and put themselves back in the qualification picture in Group C.
In Group B Milan’s dismal campaign continued as they lost for a third time in three games, by 1-0 against Porto.
In what was a must-win game for both teams, it was Porto’s Luis Diaz who settled matters in the first half.
The Portuguese side held Milan at bay throughout the game, impressing defensively, with a 1-0 success enough for them to move level on points with Atletico Madrid.
Atletico, reduced to 10 men by the expulsion of two-goal Antoine Griezmann, lost 3-2 at home to Liverpool.
A topsy-turvy game saw Liverpool race into an early lead, scoring two goals in the first 13 minutes through Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita.
Atletico came roaring back, with two goals before the break from Griezmann levelling things up at the break.
However Griezmann was at the centre of controversy seven minutes into the second half, as his high boot was punished with a red card.
Substitute Diogo Jota was pulled down in the 78th minute to win a penalty for Liverpool, which Salah dispatched, before Atletico were awarded a penalty of their own just at the end of the 90 minutes, only for the referee to go to the on-field monitor and change his decision.
In Group A Manchester City trounced hosts Brugge.
oao Cancelo opened the scoring in the 30th minute after a sublime pass from Phil Foden sent the Portuguese racing through, before a Riyad Mahrez penalty doubled City’s lead before the break.
Kyle Walker made it 3-0 shortly after the interval, before a raft of changes from the visitors, including the introduction of youth academy star Cole Palmer.
Palmer, introduced in the 65th minute, scored just two minutes later on what was a dream night for the youngster.
Brugge did pull one back late on through Hans Vanaken, before Mahrez got his second of the game in the 84th minute.
The other tie saw PSG come from behind to beat RB Leipzig with Lionel Messi scoring a brace.
It was his fellow superstar who got the first of the match, Kylian Mbappe scoring a fine counter attacking goal, before the German visitors equalised through Andre Silva.
Nordi Mukiele gave Leipzig the lead in the second half, before Messi linked up with Mbappe before slotting home to level things up. Mbappe was involved again, winning a penalty in the 74th minute before Messi scored it via a panenka.
Achraf Hakimi was brought down for a second penalty in stoppage time. This time, Mbappe took the spot-kick and blazed it over the bar. Nonetheless, the win leaves PSG top of the group, while RB Leipzig look set to be fighting for third place.
In Group D Sheriff of Moldova were brought down to earth by Internazionale in Italy.
Simone Inzaghi’s side took the lead through Edin Dzeko’s sensational volley, but were pegged-back thanks to Sheriff’s match-winner in Madrid Sebastien Thill.
But in 10 second half minutes Inter secured the three points through Arturo Vidal and Stefan de Vrij.
In Ukraine Real Madrid took a while to get going, but soon found their groove to dominate Shakhtar in Kiev. An own goal gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side a half-time lead, before Vinicius Junior stole the show.
After netting his first in the 51st minute, the Brazilian took off on a mazy, slaloming run between orange shirts before dispatching a second to put the game beyond the Ukrainians. Vinicius then turned provider for his compatriot Rodrygo to score a fourth. Benzema added extra gloss to the scoreline with a late strike to cap an excellent display.
