UCL round-up: Liverpool, Ajax advance to round of 16; PSG held by RB Leipzig

Liverpool and Ajax are through to the Champions League round of 16 with wins on Matchday 4; Manchester City, Real Madrid also register wins.

Ajax celebrate their 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund. (Image: Twitter/@ChampionsLeague)
By Shayne Dias | Nov 4, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

The Champions League group stages is now in the key stage, with qualification permutations and combinations being worked out by many. Liverpool and Ajax, however, need not worry about any of this.

This is because the two sides are already through to the next round. Liverpool beat 10-men Atletico Madrid 2-0, whereas Ajax beat 10-men Borussia Dortmund 3-1.

Liverpool could lose their remaining two group games and would still top Group B. Ajax, on 12 points while Dortmund and Sporting CP are on 6, are guaranteed at least a second place finish.

Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane were on the scoresheet for the Reds, although the night belonged to Trent Alexander-Arnold. The right-back registered two assists in around 20 minutes, meaning Liverpool never looked likely to lose.

A red card to Felipe in the 36th minute put further pressure on Atletico, who were unable to find a way back into the game. They currently sit third in Group B, one point behind Porto.

For Ajax, it was a case of leaving things late. Mats Hummels was sent off in the 29th minute, but Marco Reus converted a penalty to put Dortmund ahead a few minutes later.

Ajax would launch wave after wave of attack, but they weren’t rewarded until the 72nd minute. Dusan Tadic was the man who levelled the score and that opened the floodgates.

Sebastian Haller gave Ajax the lead 10 minutes later before Davy Klaassen sealed the win with a stoppage time goal. Ajax, like Liverpool and Bayern Munich, remain undefeated in the tournament thus far.

City, Madrid, Sporting and Inter register Champions League wins

Karim Benzema powered Real Madrid to a hard-fought 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. The Frenchman opened the scoring in the 14th minute, but Real were pegged back by a Fernando equaliser.

Benzema would restore their lead in the 69th minute and that’s the way the game ended. They currently sit atop Group D with 9 points.

Inter Milan, also in the same group and looking favourites to qualify for the next round alongside Real, beat Sheriff 3-1 in a dominant showing.

Second half goals from Marcelo Brozovic, Milan Skriniar and Alexis Sanchez ensured there would be no hiccups. For Sheriff, Adama Traore grabbed a stoppage time consolation.

Meanwhile, Portuguese champions Sporting CP registered a thumping 4-0 win over 10-man Beskitas to keep their chances of qualifying alive.

A Pedro Gonclaves brace as well as goals from Paulinho and Pablo Sarabia saw them run out easy winners. As things stand, they are third in Group C with 6 points and level with Dortmund.

In Group A action, Manchester City registered an easy 4-1 win over Club Brugge. Goals from Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus sealed the win. Joao Cancelo also put in a fine shift, grabbing a hat-trick of assists.

PSG, Milan only manage draws

In other Group A action, Paris Saint-Germain only managed a 2-2 draw against RB Leipzig.

Christopher Nkunku gave Leipzig the lead in the eighth minute but Georginio Wijnaldum scored a first half brace, his first two goals for the club. At half-time, PSG were cruising at 2-1 up. However, an injury time penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai ensured Leipzig escaped with a point.

PSG remain second, one point behind group leaders City. For Leizpig, this was their first point of the campaign and they remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

AC Milan and Porto played out a draw that did little for either side. Milan, who have 1 point in Group B, are already out having taken just the 1 point so far. Porto, meanwhile, have 5 and are currently second but only sit a point clear of Atletico.

As things stand, it is a two-way battle for second place in Group B going into the final two Champions League matchdays.





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