By Yemi Babalola, Lagos
Match day 4 of the UEFA Champions league kicked off with Groups A to D on the last day of October 2017. Where English side Manchester United defeated Benfica by two goals to nil at the Old Trafford, the match saw Anthony martial losing a penalty in the 15th minute, United taking the lead in the 45th minute via an own goal by Mile Svilar and doubled their lead in the 78t minute via a Daley Blind penalty.
While CSKA Moscow travelled to Switzerland and defeated Swizz champions Basel by two goals to one. Courtesy of goals scored by Alan Dzagoez and Pontus Wernbloom in the second half, though Basel took the lead in the first half by a Luca Zuffi goal in the 32nd minute. As it stands, United have qualified for the round of 16 and Basel and CSKA Moscow would try to fight for the second team to progress.
On the same night, group B saw Bayern Munich defeat Celtic by two goals to one at Celtic Park. Kingsley Coman and Javier Martinez sealed the victory for the German champions though Callum McGregor scored Celtic’s only goal in the 74th minute. While French giants Paris Saint Germain defeated Anderlecht by five goals to nil at the Parc des Princes stadium in France. Goals from Marco Verratti, Neymar and Layvin Kurzawa scoring a hat trick to book an automatic qualification spot in the round of 16.
Group C saw Atletico Madrid played out a one all with Qarabag FK at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, a fixture that saw two red cards being issued to players from both teams. Pedro Henrique was sent off in the 59th minute while Stefan Savic picked a second yellow in the 88t minute. Roma at Stadio Olimpico, defeated English champions Chelsea by three goals to nil via a Stephan El Shaarawy brace and the third goal from Diego Perotti.
Group D was not as entertaining as expected, Greek side Olympiacos held Barcelona to a goalless draw at the Karaiskaki Stadium , while Portuguese giants Sporting CP held Juventus to a one all draw, as Juan Cuadrado in the final minutes of full-time canceled Bruno Cesar’s goal in the first half.
Action continued on Wednesday November 1, as group E to H slugged it out on the pitch. From group E, Liverpool at Anfield defeated Maribor by three goals to nil, Mohammed Salah, Emre Can and Daniel Sturridge scored goals as James Milner missed a spot kick. Sevilla in the same group defeated Spartak Moscow by two goals to one, courtesy of Clement Lenglet and Ever Banega’s goals for the host though Ze Luis pulled one back for the Visitors at Estadio R. Sanchez Pizjuan.
SSC Napoli in-group F lost at home to Manchester City by two goals to four, Lorenzo Insigne and Jorginho scored for the host. The visitors via goals from Nicolas Otamendi, John Stones, Sergio Aguero (who made history on the night by becoming City’s highest goal scorer) and Raheem Sterling got the three points of the night at the San Paolo stadium.
Shakhtar Donetsk on the other hand, defeated Feyenood by three goals to one, as Facundo Ferreyra canceled out Nicolai Joergensen’s opener two minutes after and Marlos’s brace sealed the win for the host.
Besiktas held Monaco to a one all draw as group G got more clearer in terms of teams to progress to round 16, as Rony Lopes’s 45th minute goal was cancelled out in the 54th minute via a penalty by Cenk Tosunand, at the Vodafone Stadyumu in Turkey. FC Porto defeated RasenBallsport Leipzig by three goals to one, Hector Herrera, Danilo Pereira and Maximiliano Pereira’s goals ensured that Timo Werner’s goals could not stop the host victory.
Finally, group H that was tagged one of the hardest groups saw Tottenham Hotspur defeat UCL defending Champions at the Wembley stadium by three goals to one. As Dele Alli’s double and Christian Eriksen’s goal ensured that Cristiano Ronaldo’s 80th minute goal was a consolation goal. While, Dortmund where held to a one all draw as Mickael Pote’s goal canceled Raphael Guerreiro’s opener at Signal Iduna Park.
The drama of which team would make it to the round of 16 would continue in the upcoming weeks. Though teams like PSG, Manchester United and neighbours City, Spurs have all booked their spot in the round of 16.
