Athletic Bilbao fight back to beat Atalanta 3-2 and keep alive Champions League hopes
Athletic Bilbao mounted a superb second-half comeback to defeat Atalanta 3-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday, giving the Spanish side renewed hope of progressing to the playoff qualification round, Reuters reported.
Atalanta commanded the first half and opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Gianluca Scamacca connected with a curling cross from Nicola Zalewski, heading firmly past goalkeeper Unai Simon.
Bilbao grew into the game after the break, showing greater composure in possession. They equalised in the 58th minute with Gorka Guruzeta striking cleanly from the centre of the box, according to Reuters.
Moises Caicedo strikes late as Chelsea end Pafos resistance
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior is thrilled with having a “world-class” player in Moises Caicedo, as the midfielder’s late goal clinched a 1-0 Champions League win against Cypriot minnows Pafos on Jan 21, Reuters reported.
The victory also meant the Blues moved closer to automatic qualification for the last 16.
In Rosenior’s first Champions League game as Chelsea boss, Caicedo netted in the closing stages at Stamford Bridge to end Pafos’ stubborn resistance, according to Reuters.
Juventus clinch playoff place with 2-0 win over Benfica
Juventus guaranteed themselves at least a Champions League playoff place with a 2-0 home win over Benfica on Wednesday, their third successive victory coming thanks to second half goals from Khephren Thuram and Weston McKennie, Reuters reported.
The win moved Juventus to 15th in the standings on 12 points while Benfica are 29th on six points. The top eight advance to the last 16, with the next 16 going into the playoffs.
After an even opening half, the hosts hit the front 10 minutes after the break with Thuram weaving his way into the area and making space to drive a shot into the bottom corner, according to Reuters.
Newcastle ease to 3-0 win over PSV to book knockout place
Yoane Wissa scored his first Champions League goal as Newcastle United eased to a 3-0 home win over PSV Eindhoven at St James’ Park on Wednesday to seal their place in the knockout stages of the competition for the first time, Reuters reported.
Newcastle move up to seventh in the table with 13 points from their seven games and on course for automatic qualification for the last 16. PSV are in 22nd place with eight points and work to do to advance to the knockout stages.
The top eight teams in the table automatically advance to the last-16, while the sides positioned 9th to 24th enter a playoff round to determine the other eight qualifiers, according to Reuters.
