Leipzig went into tonight’s Champions League clash against Besiktas with a slim chance of progressing, needing to come away from the 90 minutes with more points than Porto. But these hopes were dented when Negredo converted a penalty in the 10th minute to put Leipzig 1-0 down. The Bundesliga side pushed on though, and created plenty of goal scoring opportunities, only to be denied several times by the Besiktas keeper, and twice by the linesman’s flag. Their task became that much harder in the 82nd minute, when Islanker was sent off for a second yellow. However, they did get the goal they deserved three minutes from time, as Naby Keita danced through the Besiktas defence before slotting home. Unfortunately, the comeback was short-lived, as Talisca restored the visitors’ lead in the 90th minute, meaning the match ended 2-1 in favour of the Turkish side. However, as Porto beat Monaco 5-2, even a win would not have helped Leipzig progress, and they consequently move into the Europa League last 32.
Meanwhile, Dortmund took on Real Madrid in the Spanish capital. The situation looked bleak as Madrid took a 2-0 lead inside fifteen minutes. But Aubameyang struck either side of the break put Dortmund back on level terms. Unfortunately, Dortmund could not further capitalise on their momentum, and were punished in the 81st minute, as Lucas struck to put Madrid 3-2 up and consign Dortmund to defeat. However, as APOEL were beaten 3-0 by Tottenham in Group H’s other match, Dortmund finish 3rd, and therefore join Leipzig in the Europa League last 32.
Over in Group E, Emre Can and Liverpool secured first place as they dispatched Spartak Moscow, seven goals to nil. Can played the full ninety minutes, as the Reds scored three in the first twenty minutes, and four more in the second half to record a comfortable win in the final group-stage matchday.
Leipzig went into tonight’s Champions League clash against Besiktas with a slim chance of progressing, needing to come away from the 90 minutes with more points than Porto. But these hopes were dented when Negredo converted a penalty in the 10th minute to put Leipzig 1-0 down. The Bundesliga side pushed on though, and created plenty of goal scoring opportunities, only to be denied several times by the Besiktas keeper, and twice by the linesman’s flag. Their task became that much harder in the 82nd minute, when Islanker was sent off for a second yellow. However, they did get the goal they deserved three minutes from time, as Naby Keita danced through the Besiktas defence before slotting home. Unfortunately, the comeback was short-lived, as Talisca restored the visitors’ lead in the 90th minute, meaning the match ended 2-1 in favour of the Turkish side. However, as Porto beat Monaco 5-2, even a win would not have helped Leipzig progress, and they consequently move into the Europa League last 32.
Meanwhile, Dortmund took on Real Madrid in the Spanish capital. The situation looked bleak as Madrid took a 2-0 lead inside fifteen minutes. But Aubameyang struck either side of the break put Dortmund back on level terms. Unfortunately, Dortmund could not further capitalise on their momentum, and were punished in the 81st minute, as Lucas struck to put Madrid 3-2 up and consign Dortmund to defeat. However, as APOEL were beaten 3-0 by Tottenham in Group H’s other match, Dortmund finish 3rd, and therefore join Leipzig in the Europa League last 32.
Over in Group E, Emre Can and Liverpool secured first place as they dispatched Spartak Moscow, seven goals to nil. Can played the full ninety minutes, as the Reds scored three in the first twenty minutes, and four more in the second half to record a comfortable win in the final group-stage matchday.
