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A round-up of Wednesday’s motion within the UEFA Champions League.
IMAGE: Erling Braut Haaland scores Manchester Metropolis’s second objective in the course of the Champions League Group G match towards Borussia Dortmund, at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, on Wednesday. {Photograph}: Carl Recine/Reuters
Erling Haaland grabbed an 84th-minute winner towards his former membership Borussia Dortmund as Manchester Metropolis got here from behind with two late objectives to seal a 2-1 win in Champions League Group G on Wednesday.
The Norwegian has now scored 13 objectives in eight video games since making his transfer from the Bundesliga membership and his newest was an excellent end as he leapt to information house a beautiful cross with the surface of his boot by Joao Cancelo.
There was one thing inevitable in regards to the 22-year-old, who scored 86 objectives in 89 appearances for Dortmund, deciding the end result but it surely was a shock how a lot Metropolis had struggled for nearly an hour.
Pep Guardiola opted to rotate his squad a bit of and his gamers struggled to search out their common tempo and fluency in a uninteresting opening 45 minutes.
The German defence had coped with Metropolis’s pedestrian build-up play with neither Jack Grealish or Riyad Mahrez getting a lot pleasure on the wings.
The primary actual likelihood got here within the 52nd minute and it fell to Dortmund with Marco Reus bustling in from the left however he scooped his shot broad of the far put up.
IMAGE: John Stones celebrates scoring Manchester Metropolis’s first objective with Manuel Akanji and Rodri. {Photograph}: Craig Brough/Reuters
Reus was extra correct, although, 4 minutes later when a nook reached him behind the penalty space and he whipped a ball again into the field for England worldwide Jude Bellingham to go previous Ederson.
Guardiola had been making ready a triple change when the objective was scored and he quickly launched Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez.
The trio supplied the specified influence — including the lacking tempo and inventiveness to Metropolis’s ahead play however after they drew degree within the eightieth minute it was because of a defender.
Kevin De Bruyne performed the ball inside to John Stones who blasted a fierce drive previous Alexander Meyer from exterior the field.
The momentum was with Metropolis and all Dortmund’s efforts to neutralise Haaland counted for nothing when Cancelo produced his magical cross and the Norwegian twisted his physique within the air and used the surface of his left foot to steer the ball house.
Metropolis, who gained their opening group recreation towards Sevilla 4-0, prime the standings on six factors, three forward of the Germans.
Copenhagen maintain Sevilla goalless
IMAGE: FC Copenhagen’s Jose Zeca and Sevilla’s Alex Telles battle for possession in the course of the Group G match at Parken, Copenhagen, Denmark. {Photograph}: Liselotte Sabroe/Ritzau Scanpix/Reuters
FC Copenhagen held Sevilla to a scoreless draw as either side picked up their first level of their Champions League Group G marketing campaign from a recreation that showcased loads of effort however little efficient attacking soccer on Wednesday.
Amid a improbable environment at a packed Parken Stadium, the guests loved loads of possession however they struggled to get many photographs on track because the Copenhagen defenders threw themselves in the best way of their goal-bound efforts.
The most effective effort of the second half got here from the house facet’s Mohammed Daramy, who introduced the group to their ft with a dribble alongside Sevilla’s goal-line, however keeper Marko Dmitrovic was alive to the hazard and snuffed out the prospect.
Manchester Metropolis prime the group on six factors after their 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund, who’re second on three. Copenhagen are third on one level, with Sevilla backside on objective distinction.
Disjointed Chelsea held by Salzburg
IMAGE: Raheem Sterling celebrates placing Chelsea forward — his first Champions League objective within the 2021 champions’ colors — within the Group E match towards FC Salzburg, at Stamford Bridge, London. {Photograph}: David Klein/Reuters
Battling Salzburg held a disjointed Chelsea to a 1-1 draw, severely denting the 2021 winners’ possibilities of qualifying from Group E.
Raheem Sterling put the London facet forward within the forty eighth minute, latching on to a low cross from Mason Mount and taking pictures past the diving Philipp Kohn into the left nook of his internet.
It was his first Champions League objective in Chelsea colors and the primary objective beneath new coach Graham Potter, who took over final week following the shock dismissal of Thomas Tuchel.
However the well-organised Salzburg facet, who additionally drew with AC Milan final week, ran tirelessly and have been rewarded within the seventy fifth minute when Noah Okafor despatched a low cross house after Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva had didn’t clear the ball.
Former Brighton & Hove Albion boss Potter mentioned he was upset with the end result “however the boys gave all the pieces. It is not possible to manage the sport for 90 minutes and the interval we did not accomplish that effectively they scored.
“It is all the time irritating if you concede however the general defensive efficiency was good. Little particulars you need to enhance. Not the end result we wished however we’ll take the purpose.”
Chelsea held Salzburg in their very own half for lengthy durations however failed to search out the telling remaining go. New signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang couldn’t get on the tip of a collection of crosses and Kai Havertz usually seemed remoted.
Chelsea misplaced their first group recreation to Dinamo Zagreb final week and Tuchel was sacked the next day. On Wednesday, the group chanted Tuchel’s title and applauded on the twenty first minute of the match in recognition of the 2021 title when Chelsea beat Manchester Metropolis within the remaining in Porto.
Chelsea, who adopted that triumph with victory within the World Membership Cup earlier this 12 months and have been favourites to qualify from Group E, now languish on the backside of the group with one level.
Giroud on track as AC Milan ease previous Dinamo Zagreb
IMAGE: Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring AC Milan’s first objective from the penalty spot within the Group E match towards Dinamo Zagreb, at San Siro, Milan, Italy. {Photograph}: Daniele Mascolo/Reuters
AC Milan secured their first Champions League win this season after objectives from Olivier Giroud, Alexis Saelemaekers and Tommaso Pobega powered them to a 3-1 victory over Dinamo Zagreb at house in Group E.
Giroud opened the scoring from the spot within the first half with Saelemaekers and Pobega including two extra after the interval as Milan, who drew at Salzburg of their group opener, grabbed a significant win regardless of a late rally from the Croatian champions.
A vigorous opening from Milan led to half-chances for Sandro Tonali and Giroud however the perfect alternative of the half fell to Rafael Leao, who didn’t get his shot away regardless of being brilliantly picked out by Brahim Diaz from deep.
Dinamo, conquerors of Chelsea on the opening matchday, nearly struck towards the run of play within the twenty eighth minute by means of Sadegh Moharrami, whose left-footed effort was turned behind by Mike Maignan.
The Serie A winners lastly made their dominance depend when Giroud dispatched a penalty on the stroke of halftime after Leao went down beneath a careless problem from Josip Sutalo.
Milan flew out of the traps within the second half and have been rewarded immediately when Saelemaekers doubled their benefit with a thumping header following some glorious play down the left from Portugal worldwide Leao.
However Dinamo refused to go away, displaying the grit that helped them topple Chelsea as they pulled one again by means of Mislav Orsic, who smashed house within the 56th minute after being arrange by deft footwork from Bruno Petkovic.
Petkovic was a continuing risk as the sport wore on however Milan’s superior attacking high quality informed when teen Pobega mixed with Theo Hernandez to complete off Dinamo.
Milan are prime of Group E with 4 factors from two video games, with Dinamo one level behind in second. Chelsea host Salzburg afterward Wednesday.
Actual Madrid see off Leipzig with late objectives
IMAGE: Federico Valverde celebrates scoring Actual Madrid’s first objective within the Group F match towards RB Leipzig, at Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain. {Photograph}: Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters
Midfielder Federico Valverde scored an excellent second-half objective and Marco Asensio struck late to fireplace holders Actual Madrid to a 2-0 win at house to RB Leipzig in Group F.
Uruguayan Valverde confirmed composure to calmly beat a defender with intelligent footwork on the sting of the world earlier than choosing his spot within the backside nook of the online within the eightieth minute.
The 14-times winners gave an underwhelming efficiency and till Valverde’s objective had solely managed one shot on track, whereas Leipzig had created loads of openings however weren’t medical sufficient within the space.
Actual wrapped up the victory with a objective in added time from substitute Asensio, the Spaniard slotting into the online after a lay off from Toni Kroos.
Actual lead Group F with six factors after two video games, whereas Leipzig are backside with no factors.
Of their first Champions League match beneath new coach Marco Rose, Leipzig took the sport to Actual and have been comfortably the higher facet within the first half, with ahead Christopher Nkunku inflicting the hosts loads of issues.
Nkunku fired an early shot at goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and later pressured his method into the world earlier than Actual midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni made an important sort out. The French ahead was then inches away from connecting with a Timo Werner cross from shut vary.
Actual provided little going ahead however felt they need to have had a penalty when Luka Modric was smothered by Xaver Schlager shortly earlier than halftime.
The identical script was adopted for a lot of the second half till Valverde, who had scored a sensational objective towards Actual Mallorca on the weekend with a run from his personal half, supplied the breakthrough second.
Mbappe, Messi on track as PSG rally to beat Maccabi
IMAGE: Kylian Mbappe celebrates with Lionel Messi after scoring Paris St Germain’s second objective within the Group H match towards Maccabi Haifa, at Sammy Ofer Stadium, Haifa, Israel. {Photograph}: Nir Elias/Reuters
Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi mixed fantastically as Paris St Germain’s near-perfect begin to the season continued with a 3-1 win at Maccabi Haifa.
Messi cancelled out Tjarron Chery’s shock first-half opener after being arrange by Mbappe and he returned the favour for the France ahead after the break earlier than Neymar grabbed a late third as PSG have been made to sweat by the Israeli champions.
PSG prime Group H with six factors, degree with Benfica, who claimed a 2-1 victory at Juventus.
Christophe Galtier’s French facet journey to Benfica on October 5 whereas Juventus and Haifa meet with the specter of early elimination looming.
PSG bought off to a vigorous begin with Mbappe threatening twice within the opening minutes however they shortly fell right into a lull they usually have been punished halfway by means of the half.
As Haifa elevated the stress, Dolev Haziza whipped an ideal cross for Chery, who stretched out his leg to beat Gianluigi Donnarumma and put the hosts forward.
PSG struggled to search out their rhythm however Mbappe beat two defenders within the field and his cross was deflected into the trail of Messi, who fired house from shut vary to make it 1-1 eight minutes earlier than the break.
Argentine Messi has now discovered the again of the online towards a report 39 completely different groups within the Champions League.
PSG have been nonetheless too passive after the interval, permitting Haifa to create possibilities for Frantzdy Pierrot and Omer Atzili.
Vitinha’s work within the midfield, nevertheless, proved very important for the Ligue 1 champions and Messi went shut on the hour after being arrange by the diminutive Portuguese.
PSG’s particular person abilities finally made the distinction as Mabppe collected a positive by means of ball from Messi to present his facet the benefit with a low shot within the 69th minute.
Haifa didn’t lie down however Neymar wrapped it up in medical style on a counter-attack after accumulating a positive go from Marco Verratti two minutes from time to finish an 11-match run with no objective for the Brazilian ahead.
Benfica combat again to inflict extra distress on Juventus
IMAGE: Joao Mario reacts after drawing Benfica degree from the penalty spot within the Group H match towards Juventus, at Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy. {Photograph}: Massimo Pinca/Reuters
Twice European Champions Benfica fought again to safe a 2-1 win at Juventus with objectives from Joao Mario and David Neres, sustaining their good begin in Champions League Group H.
It was a depressing night time for Juventus, who’ve misplaced their opening two video games of the Champions League group stage for the primary time and misplaced three video games in a row in Europe’s elite membership competitors for the primary time in 50 years.
Juventus took a fourth-minute lead when Arkadiusz Milik climbed highest contained in the field to go the ball into the bottom-left nook from a Leandro Paredes set piece.
The early objective appeared to take Benfica unexpectedly, as the primary 25 minutes of the sport was dominated by Juventus, who pushed the Portuguese crew onto the defensive.
Benfica had their first actual likelihood after 27 minutes when Neres crossed for Goncalo Ramos, who managed to go the ball proper at Juventus keeper Mattia Perin.
As half-time approached, Benfica started to realize extra management and possession because the stress from Juventus eased.
The guests have been awarded a penalty within the forty third minute following a VAR test after Juventus midfielder Fabio Miretti fouled Ramos contained in the field and Mario equalised from the spot.
Benfica maintained their momentum within the second half, with Neres placing them forward within the fifty fifth minute, firing house on the volley after Rafa Silva’s shot had been parried into his path by Perin.
Juventus pressed ahead within the final 10 minutes, with substitute Angel Di Maria main the cost on his return from a muscle damage.
Bremer didn’t convert a chance to equalise for Juventus within the 88th minute because the Italians slumped to defeat.
Benfica are second in Group H with six factors, degree with Paris St Germain, who gained 3-1 at Maccabi Haifa.
Benfica host Paris St Germain subsequent on October 5, when Juventus will play Maccabi Haifa.
Napoli strike late after Politano penalty to beat Rangers
IMAGE: Tanguy Ndombele celebrates scoring Napoli’s third objective within the Group A match towards Rangers, at Ibrox, Glasgow, Scotland. {Photograph}: Russell Cheyne/Reuters
Napoli stayed on prime of their Champions League Group A as Matteo Politano’s penalty and late strikes by Giacomo Raspadori and Tanguy Ndombele sealed a 3-0 victory over 10-man Rangers at Ibrox and maintained their unbeaten begin.
Politano opened the scoring within the 68th minute, having taking up penalty duties from midfielder Piotr Zielinski who was twice denied from the spot by Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor within the second half.
The spot kick, awarded after Borna Barisic had dealt with the ball within the field, got here after Napoli had squandered two possibilities to go forward from the penalty spot following James Sands’s dismissal for a careless problem on Giovanni Simeone.
Zielinski’s tame shot was first saved by McGregor earlier than Politano reacted sharply to slip the ball house however the Video Assistant Referee ordered the penalty to be retaken for encroachment by the Napoli ahead line.
Veteran McGregor, who changed the injured Jon McLaughlin for the sport, dived to his left to disclaim Zielinski a second time, however the house followers have been silenced as Napoli continued to assault and Raspadori and Ndombele sealed the win after slick strikes.
The end result means Luciano Spalletti’s facet, who thrashed Liverpool 4-1 of their opener of the competitors, have six factors from two matches in Group Some time their Scottish opponents are backside after two defeats.
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