Group A: Liverpool Gala in Glasgow – Napoli march on
- Glasgow Rangers 1-7 Liverpool
It was not until the 68th minute that Mohamed Salah came on when Liverpool were 3-1. The Egyptian needed 7 minutes for his first goal, another 6 minutes later the hat-trick was perfect – it is the fastest in the history of the Champions League. Youngster Harvey Elliott was also able to celebrate as a goal scorer in the 7-1 final. After Klopp’s side fell behind in the 17th minute, Roberto Firmino had previously starred with two goals and the assist to Darwin Nunez’ 3-1. Liverpool are in the round of 16 on 9 points with a leg and a half.
- Napoli 4-2 Ajax
SSC Napoli’s season is getting scary. Coach Luciano Spalletti’s team also won their 4th group game against Ajax Amsterdam and fixed the round of 16 entry. Hirving Lozano (header) and Giacomo Raspadori (with a smashing high corner shot) put Napoli on course early on. Ajax, who rehabilitated compared to the 1: 6 swatter a week ago, came up twice. A Dutch defensive mistake, which Victor Osimhen took advantage of, brought the decision. Napoli have won 11 of 13 games of the season in all competitions (with two draws), but have already conceded 11 goals.
- Atletico Madrid – Brugge 0-0
Bruges and their goalkeeper Simon Mignolet did not concede a goal in the 4th Champions League game either and thus reached the round of 16. At Atletico Madrid, the surprising Belgians were inferior over long stretches, but the ex-Liverpool keeper kept his box clean. Antoine Griezmann failed several times at the 34-year-old. Shortly before the end, Mignolet “parried” a close-up shot by Alvaro Morata with his face. The supposed Atletico lead shortly after the break was canceled due to offsides. In their 10th participation in a CL group stage, Brugge reached the knockout phase for the first time – as the second Belgian representative after Gent in the 2015/16 season.
The air is getting thin for Leverkusen. The Germans also struggled against Porto with new coach Xabi Alonso. Galeno cracked the Leverkusen defense for the first time in the 6th minute. Kerem Demirbay missed the equalizer 10 minutes later with a missed penalty. Mehdi Taremi did better on the other side, increasing from the point to 2-0 and 3-0.
Group D: Son pushes Tottenham to the top
- Tottenham 3-2 Frankfurt
After the 0-0 draw in Frankfurt a week ago, Tottenham prevailed against the Europa League winners in front of their home crowd. Daichi Kamada scored the opener after a confusion in London’s defence, but the hosts reacted immediately. Within 16 minutes, Heung-min Son turned the game around with a double and Harry Kane with a penalty. Son’s second goal by volley was particularly worth seeing. In the second half, the Frankfurt Tuta flew off the field with two yellow cards within 3 minutes – more than the goal by Faride Alidou was not enough when outnumbered. Kane allowed himself the luxury of shooting a second penalty over the goal.
- Sporting Lisbon – Olympique Marseille 0:2
A point behind Tottenham, Marseille are now second in the group. Once again, the French defeated Sporting, who had started the campaign with two wins. Mattéo Guendouzi (penalty) and Alexis Sanchez scored the goals. The Portuguese ended the game in nine after Ricardo Esgaio and Pedro Gonçalves both had to take a break with yellow-red cards.