Karim Benzema scored the only goal as a much-changed Liverpool fell to a 1-0 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Benzem...
Karim Benzema scored the only goal as a much-changed Liverpool fell to a 1-0 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
Benzema converted Marcelo’s left-wing cross after 27 minutes to move the hosts on to 12 points in Group B and book their place in the knockout phase, while Liverpool remain third on three points.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers sprang a surprise by making seven changes, leaving out Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, Mario Balotelli, Philippe Coutinho and Glen Johnson from his starting line-up and selecting instead the likes of Lazar Markovic, Javier Manquillo, Fabio Borini, Emre Can and Adam Lallana.
But rather than collapse against the defending European champions, the inexperienced side fought valiantly throughout the game, without ever really threatening an equaliser.
Basel boosted their hopes of qualifying from Champions League Group B with an emphatic 4-0 win over Ludogorets at St Jakob-Park.
First-half goals from teenager Breel Embolo and Derlis Gonzalez put the hosts in control, and further strikes after the interval from Shkelzen Gashi and Marek Suchy sealed matters as the Swiss side made light of the injury-enforced absence of captain Marco Streller.
Borussia Dortmund put their domestic troubles to one side to book their place in the knock-out stages of the Champions League with a comfortable 4-1 win over Galatasaray marred by some ugly scenes in the stands.
Three of the goals came in the second half as Galatasaray crumbled. Marco Reus opened the scoring six minutes before the break, but although Hakan Balta pulled one back for Galatasary after Sokratis Papastathopoulos doubled Dortmund's lead, Ciro Immobile's strike and a Semih Kaya own goal confirmed the margin of victory.
Arsenal's hopes of finishing top of Champions League Group D were dealt a huge blow as they gave up a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 against Anderlecht.
The Gunners looked to be in complete control of the contest as a penalty from Mikel Arteta and strikes from Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain put them 3-0 ahead before the hour mark.
But two goals in 10 minutes from Anthony Vanden Borre pulled the visitors back into the contest before substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic grabbed a dramatic equaliser in the 90th minute.
Arsene Wenger’s side are now five points behind group leaders Borussia Dortmund with just two games left to play.A second-half double from Son Heung-min earned Bayer Leverkusen an impressive 2-1 win at Zenit St Petersburg which put them on the brink of the Champions League knockout stage.
The South Korean curled home a brilliant first from outside the area following a clever free-kick after 68 minutes and then finished clinically to add a second five minutes later.
Talisca scored a valuable goal to give Benfica their first win in Champions League Group C as they claimed a hard fought 1-0 victory over Monaco on Tuesday night.
The Brazilian produced the goods from close range in the 82nd minute as the Portuguese side look to avoid elimination at the group stage for the third successive season
Atletico Madrid moved ever closer towards a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 2-0 win at Group A rivals Malmo on Tuesday night.
Diego Simeone's men were unable to repeat the performance which saw them hammer the Swedes 5-0 last time out, but goals from Koke and Raul Garcia were enough to earn the Primera Division side their third successive win which moves them clear at the top of the group
