Wednesday 2 November 2011

Tuesday Champions League Round Up

Hat-trick hero Lionel Messi became the second player to score 200 Barcelona goals as the reigning champions cruised to a 4-0 win at 10-man Viktoria Plzen.

The comfortable victory clinched Barcelona's place in the knockout phase and helped Pep Guardiola celebrate his 200th match at the helm in style.

It also assured Group H rivals Milan's last 16 place, despite only managing a 1-1 draw at Bate Borisov.

And 1997 champions Borussia Dortmund beat Olympiakos for a first group win.

Argentina star Messi opened the Barcelona scoring with a 24th minute penalty, before doubling his tally on the stroke of half-time.

Cesc Fabregas added the third before Messi grabbed an injury-time fourth to complete his treble.

Valencia grabbed an important 3-1 home win over Bayer Leverkusen to blow Group E wide open.

The Spanish side made a blistering start at the Mestalla with Jonas scoring the Champions League's second quickest goal after just 10.6 seconds.

But it just missed out on the record created by former Bayern Munich man Roy Makaay against Real Madrid in 2007.

Leverkusen equalised through Stefan Kiessling shortly after the half hour mark, before talisman Roberto Soldado and Adil Rami put Valencia back ahead after the break.

Just three points now separates leaders Chelsea, Leverkusen and Valencia with two rounds of games left.

Arsenal's Group F has also taken a different complexion after Dortmund moved off the bottom with a 1-0 home win against the Greek side, which gives them a fighting chance of a last-16 place.

Zenit St Petersburg and Apoel Nicosia have taken control of Group G with narrow home wins against Shakthar Donetsk and Porto respectively.


No comments:

Post a Comment