With World Champions Mesut Özil and Shkodran Mustafi in the starting XI, Arsenal successfully defended their position at the top of Group A, but did miss the chance to secure first spot on day five of the Champions League group stage tonight. Arsène Wenger’s men drew 2-2 with Paris St. Germain, in a clash in which both sides gave up leads once to eventually share the points. The two teams have also already secured qualification into the round of 16, but the winner of their group will only be known after the final games of the group stage, which will be played on the sixth and seventh of December.
Last year’s finalists Atletico Madrid took full advantage of Bayern’s slip-up in Russia, as they triumphed 2-0 over Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven to make sure they finish top of Group D.
Barca win their group
Barcelona overcame Celtic tonight with Marc-André ter Stegen between the sticks. Lionel Messi was again the star of the show, scoring both of his side’s goals in a 2-0 win. Ludogoretz’ clash with Basel ended goalless, as did Napoli’s encounter with Dynamo Kiev.
Benfica had all but secured their qualification into the round of 16, before Turkish champions Besiktas came back from a 3-0 half-time deficit to draw 3-3. Goncalo Guedes (10’), Nélson Semedo (25’) and Ljubomir Fejsa (31’) put Benfica comfortably into the lead, before the hosts remarkably earned a point. Cenk Tosun (58’), Ricardo Quaresma (83’) and Vincent Aboubakar (89’) got the goals for Besiktas.
PSG hit back late on against Arsenal
In London, Edinson Cavani provided the opener for the French champions in the 18th minute, before Olivier Giroud’s penalty and Marco Verratti’s own goal either side of half time turned the game on its head. PSG eventually claimed the point they deserved when Lucas headed in with less than quarter of an hour left to play.
Atlético extended their perfect record in this Champions League campaign, making them the only side to have won all five group games so far. Kevin Gameiro and Antoine Griezmann provided the goals in the second period, who now have an unassailable six-point lead over Bayern at the top of the group.
Messi scored his eighth and ninth goals in this season’s tournament in Glasgow to secure the points for Barcelona. The Argentine was also at the heart of much of his team’s attacking play, and was the best player on the pitch with the outstanding vision and passing play that he so often exhibits at this level.