Reds overjoyed after keeper howler, Real Madrid slump to fresh low: Champions League wrap
Injury-ravaged Liverpool have been gifted a place in the Champions League knockout stages after a 1-0 victory over Dutch side Ajax courtesy of a horrible keeper mistake.
Ajax gloveman Andre Onana misjudged a deep cross from Neco Williams, coming out to claim the ball before leaving it as he expected the ball to float out of play – only for 19-year-old Curtis Jones to arrive at the back post and volley home from close range.
Liverpool had struggled in the first half, with just 39 per cent of possession, before finding form after the break.
And when Williams teed up Jones in the 58th minute, it was the first time in Liverpool history two teenagers had combined for a Champions League goal.
Another youngster – 22-year-old keeper Caoimhin Kelleher – protected the lead with a fantastic stop in the 88th minute, denying substitute striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s bullet header from close range.
Kelleher was handed his Champions League debut – having never played in either the competition or the Premier League, after Brazilian Alisson was added to Liverpool’s long injury list.
At 22 years and eight days old, Kelleher is the youngest Liverpool goalkeeper to start in the Champions League since Scott Carson (19 years, seven months and two days) against Juventus in 2005.
Jurgen Klopp were also without the injured Thiago, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, Xherdan Shaqiri, Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Milner.
The vcitory means Liverpool progress with a game in hand, allowing Jurgen Klopp the luxury of resting key players amid a brutal schedule.
MADRID NIGHTMARE
Earlier, Real Madrid were stunned for the second time this campaign by Shakhtar Donetsk, losing 2-0 after substitutes Dentinho and Manor Solomon scored second-half goals.
Ukrainian side Shakhtar stunned the 13-time European champions again, having already won 3-2 in Madrid in October.
That leaves Los Blancos in danger of failing to qualify from the group stage for the first time ever (from 24 previous appearances in the competition) – and coach Zinedine Zidane in danger of losing his job after just one win in their last six games in all competitions.
“I am not going to resign, not at all,” said Zidane. “We are always going to have difficult moments, and we are on a bad run, but we need to keep going.”
“I have the strength needed to turn the situation around and I am going to give everything to do that, so are the players.
Shakhtar had lost their last two Group B matches against Borussia Moenchengladbach by an aggregate score of 10-0, but this victory allowed them to move above Real into second place in the group with one game remaining.
This was Real’s seventh defeat in the last nine Champions League matches they have played without captain Sergio Ramos, who is currently injured.
Ferland Mendy intercepted a Viktor Kovalenko ball into the box but only succeeded in laying it on a plate for Dentinho to tuck past Thibaut Courtois and in.
The Ukrainian champions then made sure of their victory on the counter-attack with eight minutes remaining as Israeli international Solomon picked up the ball on halfway and advanced unchallenged before picking his spot.
LUKAKU AT THE DOUBLE
Romelu Lukaku kept Inter Milan’s Champions League hopes alive on Tuesday, scoring two second-half goals to seal a dramatic 3-2 win at Borussia Moenchengladbach in their penultimate group game.
Lukaku’s double gave Inter their first victory in the Champions League this season in a rollercoaster game, blowing Group B wide open ahead of the final round of group matches next week.
Gladbach still sit on top of the group after Shakhtar Donetsk beat Real Madrid 2-0 earlier on Tuesday, but they are now just three points ahead of bottom side Inter.
With just a single point separating the top three sides, all four teams still have a chance to qualify next week.
ATLETICO END PERFECT BAYERN RUN
Atletico Madrid must wait to secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League after substitute Thomas Mueller scored a late penalty for a much-changed Bayern Munich in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw in Spain.
Joao Felix put Atletico ahead in the first half before Mueller won and converted a spot-kick four minutes from time as Bayern Munich’s record 15-match winning run in the competition came to an end.
Diego Simeone’s Atletico had won just once in four matches in Europe this term despite their strong start in La Liga, but knew victory would secure passage to the knockout phase after Lokomotiv Moscow’s 3-1 home loss to Salzburg.
Luis Suarez was again unavailable at the Wanda Metropolitano having tested positive for Covid-19 while Diego Costa is sidelined long-term after suffering a blood clot in his right leg.
Alexander Nubel replaced the rested Manuel Neuer in goal as Bayern coach Hansi Flick left several regulars, including Robert Lewandowski, behind in Germany with top spot in Group A already assured.
PORTO THROUGH AFTER CITY DRAW
Porto qualified for the Champions League last 16 and Manchester City sealed first place in Group C after Agustin Marchesin’s superb display for the hosts in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw at the Estadio do Dragao.
Sergio Conceicao’s side were on the defensive for long periods, but a series of superb saves from Marchesin secured the point they needed to advance.
City dominated throughout but Gabriel Jesus was denied a late winner after VAR ruled out his goal.
City had already booked their place in the last 16 after winning their first four games and, with top spot now secured, Pep Guardiola can now rest players for their final match against Marseille next week.
Guardiola insists City will thrive in the Champions League this season as they bid to make amends for last term’s shock quarter-final defeat against Lyon.
City have never won the Champions League and Guardiola, who last lifted the trophy with Barcelona in 2011, has been unable to take them past the quarter-finals.
Finishing on top of the group was the first step towards that target and Guardiola will be encouraged by City’s improved defence.
They have conceded just six goals in their last 13 games in all competitions, a run that includes four successive Champions League clean sheets.
FULL RESULTS
Group A
Atletico Madrid (ESP) 1 (Felix 26) Bayern Munich (GER) 1 (Mueller 86-pen)
Lokomotiv Moscow (RUS) 1 (Miranchuk 79-pen) Salzburg (AUT) 3 (Berisha 28, 41, Adeyemi 81)
Group B
Borussia Moenchengladbach (GER) 2 (Plea 45+1, 76) Inter Milan (ITA) 3 (Darmian 17, Lukaku 64, 73)
Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 2 (Dentinho 57, Solomon 82) Real Madrid (ESP) 0
Group C
Marseille (FRA) 2 (Payet 55-pen, 75-pen) Olympiakos (GRE) 1 (Camara 33)
Porto (POR) 0 Manchester City (ENG) 0
Group D
Atalanta (ITA) 1 (Romero 79) Midtjylland (DEN) 1 (Scholz 13)
Liverpool (ENG) 1 (Jones 58) Ajax (NED) 0
Source: Fox Sports
