Bayer Leverkusen secured a key 2-1 victory over Zenit St Petersburg in Russia, further increasing their chances of making it out of the group. Song Heung Min opened the scoring on the 68th minute before increasing the score line five minutes later with another goal. Zenit pulled one back through Rondon on the 89th minute mark, but Leverkusen held on for a key victory.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid secured a comfortable 2-0 away victory against Malmo last night. Koke scored on the 30th minute to put Atletico ahead, before Raul Garcia fired one just before the 80th minute mark, to ensure that the Spanish side went home with three points.
100 – Andrea Pirlo will make his 100th Champions League appearance tonight, becoming the 23rd player to reach the milestone. Maestro.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 4, 2014
Juventus emerged as victors from a closely contested affair against Olympiacos in Turin. Pirlo broke the deadlock on the 21st minute before Olympiacos restored parity just four minutes later. The Greek side then took the lead in the second half through N’Dinga, before Roberto’s own goal allowed Juve to get level. Just a minute later on the 66′, Paul Pogba fired home to secure victory for Juve.
Basel produced a sensational performance to complete a 4-0 win over Ludogorets. Goals from Embolo and Gonzales gave them a 2-0 lead heading into half time, but the Swiss side further consolidated their lead after the break, courtesy of strikes from Gashi and Sucshy.
6 – Simon Mignolet has already made more saves in this game than in any other game so far this season. Busy.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 4, 2014
Real Madrid also ensured qualification into the next stage, after winning their fourth consecutive Champions League match, in a 1-0 win over Liverpool. The Reds started with their second-string side, resting key players ahead of a key match against Chelsea in the weekend, but Madrid could only muster one goal through Karim Benzema, though the win was enough to book a spot for them in the Round of 16.
5 – Dortmund's Marco Reus had a hand in 5 goals in his last 3 Champions League appearances (4 goals, 1 assist). Warrantor.
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) November 4, 2014
Borussia Dortmund ran out as 4-1 winners over Galatasaray. Reus scored on the 31st minute to give Dortmund the lead, but most of the action eventually took place after the break. Papasthapoulous scored on the 56th minute, before the Turkish side pulled one back on the 70th minute mark, through Hakan Balta. Immobile reinstated Dortmund’s two-goal lead just minutes later. And Semih Kaya’s own goal late on in the game, ensured a relatively simple victory for the German side.
Benfica were made to fight hard before defeating Monaco in Lisbon, as only a late goal ensured the victory last night. The Portuguese side were guilty of wasting too many chances, and considering that Monaco had their fair share of opportunities, a draw was perhaps the fitting result. However, Talisca scored on the 82nd minute to send the Benfica fans into raptures.
3 – Arsenal have both scored and conceded at least three goals for the first time in a single Champions League game. Drama.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 4, 2014
Arsenal on the other hand, will be screaming at themselves after allowing a 3-0 lead to disappear against Anderlecht; with the Belgian side clawing back to draw 3-3. Mikel Arteta’s penalty and Alexis Sanchez’ goal placed Arsenal 2-0 ahead in the first half, and Oxlade Chamberlain increased that to 3-0 with a well taken goal after the break. But Anderlecht pulled one back on the half hour mark, scored a penalty on the 73rd minute, before Mitrovic completed the sensational comeback with a goal on the 90th minute.
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