NYON: A record-breaking goal from Sergio Aguero sent Manchester City into the Champions League knockout stages with a brilliant 4-2 win at Napoli.
Aguero struck in the 69th minute at the imposing San Paolo Stadium to enter the club record books as their leading goalscorer with 178.
It all but settled an absorbing contest in which City had responded to Lorenzo Insigne’s early strike with goals from Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones, only to be pegged back again by a Jorginho penalty. Raheem Sterling put the gloss on City’s win in the closing moments.
Both sides also hit the woodwork as the leaders of the Premier League and Serie A played out a high-quality game in keeping with their outstanding form.
Aguero said: “I am very happy for this moment, I am happy because the team offered support to me and the fans and all of the staff, so I must say thank you to everyone. this moment has been a long time coming.”
Shakhtar Donetsk are all but guaranteed second place and progress to the last 16 after a 3-1 home win against bottom side Feyenoord.
The Dutch side took an early lead through Nicolai Jorgensen’s header, but Shakhtar hit back through Facundo Ferreyra and two goals from Marlos.
In Group G Besiktas must wait before they can guarantee themselves a place in the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time, but remain top of of the table after drawing 1-1 with last season’s semi-finalists Monaco in Istanbul.
Rony Lopes’ curling effort for Monaco on the stroke of half-time was cancelled out by Cenk Tosun’s penalty after Jorge’s foul on Ricardo Quaresma.
Porto delayed Besiktas’ qualification by beating RB Leipzig 3-1 at home to climb into second place.
Hector Herrera gave Porto a half-time lead and although Timo Werner hauled Leipzig level, goals from Danilo and Maxi Pereira secured them their second group win.
Liverpool completed a memorable night for Premier League clubs by beating Maribor 3-0 at Anfield to go top of Group E.
Roberto Firmino’s first-half header was pushed on to the crossbar by Maribor goalkeeper Jasmin Handanovic, but Mohamed Salah made the breakthrough for Liverpool early in the second period.
James Milner’s penalty was then brilliantly saved by Handanovic, after Aleksandar Rajcevic’s foul on Firmino, before Emre Can fired home Liverpool’s second and Daniel Sturridge added a late third.
Overnight group leaders Spartak Moscow slipped to third after going down 2-1 at Sevilla, who are a point behind Jurgen Klopp’s side with two games to play.
Goals from Clement Lenglet and Ever Banega put the Spaniards 2-0 up just before the hour mark before substitute Ze Luis pulled one back for Spartak.
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