Football

Champions League: Benfica end Juve's hopes, join Chelsea in last 16

Sentinel Digital Desk

Lisbon: Benfica's Rafa Silva scored two superb goals as they edged Juventus 4-3 in a thriller at Estadio da Luz on Tuesday to seal a place in the knock-out stages of the Champions League and end the Italian club's chances in this year's competition.

Benfica have 11 points from five games, the same as Group H leaders Paris St Germain, while Juve's three points leaves them to focus on winning a place in the Europe League, something they can secure on the final matchday when they host PSG.

The home side are now unbeaten in 20 games in all competitions this season and it is easy to see why as they were inventive with the ball and might have been out of sight at halftime before a late Juve rally meant a nervous finish.

As it was, it is the first time in Juve's history they conceded three first half goals in the Champions League and the first time since 2013-14 they failed to get out of their group.

Teenager Antonio Silva scored his first Benfica goal to give the home side the lead after 17 minutes, but Juventus drew level when Moise Kean bundled the ball home four minutes later.

Benfica were back in front thanks to a controversial penalty that was converted by Joao Mario before Rafa Silva appeared to make the points safe with two sublime finishes, either side of the break, that perfectly illustrated his technique and guile.

But the visitors pulled a goal back late on through Arkadiusz Milik after he was set up by young English winger Samuel Iling, and the latter was key again in creating a chance for Weston McKennie to score Juve's third.

Havertz sends Chelsea into knock-outs

A fine strike from Kai Havertz earned Chelsea a battling 2-1 victory at Red Bull Salzburg as they clinched a spot in the Round of 16 as group winners.

Chelsea put on a dazzling display in the first half, taking the lead in the 23rd minute through Mateo Kovacic's instinctive left-foot finish from 20 metres, but they wasted several chances to double their advantage before the interval.

The Premier League side were made to pay for their profligacy early in the second half as Junior Adamu prodded home the equalizer, only for Havertz to restore Chelsea's lead with a superb curled strike into the top corner in the 64th minute.

Salzburg rallied late on but found keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in fine form, helping the Blues to see out the win that moves them three points clear of second-placed AC Milan, whose 4-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb meant Chelsea will finish top in Group E.

Despite Salzburg never having beaten English opposition in Europe, Chelsea's task coming into the match looked formidable with the Austrians on a 40-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

However, Kovacic's fine finish from the edge of the penalty area, after Havertz was dispossessed, settled the away team's nerves.

Salzburg are third in the group, and must beat Milan in Italy next week to reach the last 16.

Dortmund hold Manchester City, join them in knock-outs

Borussia Dortmund drew 0-0 with already-qualified Manchester City to book their spot in the knock-out stage with a game to spare.

The result made sure that City, who missed a second-half penalty and are on 11 points, will top Group G while Dortmund, on eight, punched the second qualifying ticket, locking down second spot ahead of third-placed Sevilla, who have five points.

Sevilla with the help of second-half goals from Youssef En-Nesyri, Isco and Gonzalo Montiel secured a convincing 3-0 home win against 10-man FC Copenhagen.

Messi, Mbappe score twice as PSG thrash Maccabi

Paris St Germain's Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe both scored twice, with Neymar also on target, as the French club's fearsome attack tore apart Maccabi Haifa in a 7-2 win to send them into the last 16 of the Champions League.

The irrepressible trio were simply too much for Maccabi to handle although the Israeli side showed plenty of spirit in the Group H clash, with Abdoulaye Seck scoring twice.

PSG's romp means with one game remaining against already-eliminated Juventus they top the standings on goal difference from Benfica with 11 points.

Despite their heavy defeat, Maccabi remain level on three points with Juve and will go into their last game at home against Benfica still hopeful of sealing a Europa League spot.

Leipzig beat Real Madrid 3-2

RB Leipzig took a big step towards the knock-out stage with a 3-2 home win over an under-strength Real Madrid side thanks to goals from Josko Gvardiol, Christopher Nkunku and Timo Werner.

The German side are second in Group F on nine points, one behind leaders Real and three ahead of Shakhtar Donetsk, who they face in their final group game next week in need of a draw to guarantee a top-two spot.

With Real Madrid having already qualified for the last 16, manager Carlo Ancelotti rested several regular starters and his side was dominated early on by the young Leipzig team.

Milan revive hopes after thrashing Zagreb

AC Milan revived their hopes of reaching the last 16 with a 4-0 win at Dinamo Zagreb in Group E.

It was also the first time the Italian champions had scored four in an away match in the competition since beating Fenerbahce 4-0 in November 2005.

Shakhtar come from behind to draw at Celtic

Shakhtar Donetsk earned a 1-1 draw at Celtic in the Champions League after winger Mykhaylo Mudryk cancelled out a first-half goal by striker Georgios Giakoumakis to maintain the Ukrainian side's chances of reaching the knockout stage.

Coach Igor Jovicevic's side secured at least a Europa League spot by avoiding defeat in Glasgow as they remain third in Group F on six points and will host second-placed RB Leipzig -- on nine points -- in their last clash on November 2. Agencies

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