SAN FRANCISCO, November 07, (THEWILL) – Barcelona are the first team to book a spot in the knockout round of this season’s UEFA Champions League following a 1-1 draw against Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday.
The Catalans team had to wait until the 83rd minute to break the deadlock through summer signing, Malcom. The Brazilian winger, on as a substitute, curled in from 20 yards to give Barca a deserved lead.
However, Inter Milan who have scored all three goals in this season’s competition late in the game, repeated the trick through captain, Mauro Icardi. The one-time Real Madrid target was given room to swivel in the opponent’s penalty area and he accepted the invitation before firing through the legs of Marc-Andre ter Stergen to claim a draw.
The point gained could prove vital against group rival, Tottenham, who won 2-1 against PSV, when both meet later in the month to fight for the second qualifying spot in the group.
Liverpool, however, suffered the shock defeat of the night, going down 2-0 to Red Star Belgrade in Serbia. Facing a hostile crowd and with a raft of second string players handed starts, Red Star scored two quick first half goals through Milan Pavkov’s brace to stun the Anfield giants and held on for a famous victory.
Jurgen Klopp’s side would need four points from their last two group games to ensure qualification in a group that also has the inseparable pair of Italian and French giants, Napoli and PSG respectively. Both clubs had to settle for a 1-1 draw in their encounter- a second consecutive draw- to keep their hopes alive.
In Spain, Atlético Madrid avenged their defeat to Borussia Dortmund in Germany with a 2-0 win. Goals from Saul Niguez, and striker, Antoine Griezmann, brought the Spanish side level on points with the Germans, and both require just one point to advance.
There was, however, no respite for Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and his Monaco side which lost 0-4 at home to Belgian side, Club Brugge to crash out of this season’s competition. The Belgian side scored three goals in 12 minutes early in the first half, and added the fourth five minutes from time.
UCL Tuesday RESULTS
Monaco 0 – 4 Club Brugge
Red Star Belgrade 2 – 0 Liverpool
Atlético Madrid 2 – 0 Borussia Dortmund
Tottenham Hotspur. 2 – 1 PSV
Internazionale 1 – 1 Barcelona
Napoli 1 – 1 PSG
Porto 4 – 1 Lokomotiv Moskva
Schalke 04 2 – 0 Galatasaray
About the Author
