Wednesday Champions League Round-Up
29th November, 2007
All three British teams in action last night recorded wins, with Celtic and Liverpool each getting the necessary three points in dramatic fashion.
Liverpool started well against Porto, scoring in just the 19th minute when Gerrard’s corner picked out Torres at the far post. After the goal Liverpool lost their way, failing to control the ball and as a result concending an equalizer from Lopez’s strong header. If anyone were to find the winner, it looked likely to be Porto, until the 78th minute when Torres coolly finished from close range. From then on Porto lost their way, conceding a Gerrard penalty and a Crouch header to leave Anfield with an unjustified 4-1 loss. Besiktas must now beat Porto in their final group game to make the final 16 after claiming a late 2-1 win at Marseille.
Chelsea will finish Group B as winners after a convincing 4-0 victory at Rosenborg secured their path to the next stage with a game to go. Chelsea ran riot from the start, with Drogba finishing Joe Cole’s parried shot confidently into the net after just eight minutes. He got his second 12 minutes later, finishing from close range after Wright-Phillips showed great footwork. Five minutes before halftime, Alex saw his 35-yard free kick somehow find the bottom corner to make it 3-0 at the break. Chelsea turned down the heat after halftime, resting Drogba and Wright-Phillips to give Shevchenko and Kalou a run. There was still chance after chance, before Joe Cole finished Essien’s spilled shot. Elsewhere in the group, Valencia failed to get the result they needed after drawing at home 0-0 with Schalke. The Spaniards had Albelda sent off in the first half, and now find themselves out of the competition.
Celtic kept their qualification hopes alive with a spirited 2-1 victory at Parkhead. The Bhoys had a nightmare start, falling behind after just four minutes to a cool Brandao finish. Just before halftime, Jarosik hammered home the equaliser to give the home side the momentum at the break. After a tense second half, Donati scored a dramatic winner two-and-a-half seconds from time to give Celtic the three points they needed. Also in Group D, Milan booked their place in the next stage after a 1-1 draw with Benefica, meaning Celtic now need just a draw in Milan to see them through.
Real Madrid continue to struggle in Europe, after losing 3-2 to Werden Bremen, which leaves them with work to do in their final game to qualify. Olympiacos have pout themselves in a strong position in the group after beating Lazio 2-1, drawing level on points with Real at the top of the group.
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