Matchweek 4 is done and dusted in the Champions League. Review Wednesday's action here.
Brutal Bayern rip Arsenal to shreds
Bayern Munich 5-1 Arsenal
Bayern Munich avenged their 2-0 loss to Arsenal a fortnight ago as they ripped apart the Gunners in convincing fashion at the Allianz.
Bayern were quick to get working as Robert Lewandowski got back to getting the goals in Europe with an easy finish. Arsenal's defence just couldn't handle the quality as Thiago's ball was not picked up allowing the Pole to drift in and head past Cech.
Müller would make matters worse for the Gunners who were celebrating an equaliser before the goalline official waved it off as an Ozil handball. His compatriot would direct it towards goal where it would take a deflection off Mertesacker to really put Arsenal down.
There would be no luck involved in Bayern's third goal as David Alaba unleashed a beauty of a strike right before the interval from long range, winning the ball from Cazorla and having enough space to curl it centrally past Cech and stomp out any fires from the Gunners.
Arjen Robben got in on the act too as Arsenal's heads really dropped in the second half. With his first touch of the ball, the returning Dutchman fired it into the roof of the net after Alaba cut the ball back towards him.
There was a consolation though for Arsenal, but that's all it would be - Olivier Giroud scored a stunning strike which juxtaposed with the rather woeful appearance of his teammates at times. Sanchez lofted the ball towards the Frenchman who controlled it on his chest before unleashing a scissor kick flying past Manuel Neuer.
Just like the five-star display, it was now a five-goal display when Thomas Müller bagged the final goal of the night. Douglas Costa put him through where the marksman finely finished with a low attempt to put another exclamation mark to the many it proceeded - a masterclass from the German champions.
Full match report here
Pjanić penalty settles another Roma-Leverkusen thriller
Roma 3-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Roma and Bayer Leverkusen once again thrilled the masses when they took to the Stadio Olimpico, but this time Roma would walk away with the win as Pjanić's late spot-kick settled the contest in Italy.
Picking up where they left off from matchweek three's eight-goal thriller, it was just 2 minutes before a goal was seen at the Stadio Olimpico, with the hosts rejoicing. A lighting-fast counter-attack from Serie A's perennial contenders responded to Leverkusen's attack in devastating fashion, as Džeko sent Salah down the right before he slotted it past Leno for the opener. The Egyptian's pace on the flanks would continue to trouble the visitors.
Right before the half-hour mark, Roma would double their lead. Edin Džeko—who provided an assist for the first goal—was sent through by Nainggolan before surging all the way to goal and routinely dispatching the ball for a two-goal lead.
With fans calling the Bosnian's name euphorically, Edin Džeko almost made it three for Roma as they broke through yet again on the counter attack. This time he didn't find the target though, blazing it over the frame of goal.
As the pattern of the fixture would go, Leverkusen soon materialised a comeback. Just a minute into the second half, Kampl cut the ball back to Mehmedi who fired high into the net to cut the deficit and fuel the hopes of the Germans once more.
Just five minutes later and things would be all square again in a turn for the spectacular. Javier Hernández found his fourth Champions League goal of the campaign when brilliantly set up by Bellarabi to drill it past Szczęsny and level things up in Rome.
With the game now wide open after Leverkusen rallied themselves back into the game, it really could have gone either way. But the tipping point came in the 79th minute when Ömer Toprak was sent off for a clear foul after pushing Salah into goal to prevent the Egyptian from scoring as the ball trickled near the line.
A man down, and now potentially going a goal down, Leverkusen watched in fright while Miralem Pjanić stood at the spot with the Stadio Oimpico silent in anticipation. After what seemed like an eternity, with the Roma players unable to keep their eyes on it at the dugout, Pjanić swept it past the keeper and reinstated the Italians' lead, ultimately leading to a thrilling victory.
Willian wonder strike puts Chelsea back on the hunt
Chelsea 2-1 Dynamo Kyiv
Willian's stunning free-kick hoisted Chelsea to a massive victory in a special European night at Stamford Bridge as the Brazilian responded to a Kyiv equaliser to keep the Blues back in the right direction.
Stamford Bridge was rocking as the game kicked off at a very frantic pace. With a win crucial for both sides, neither was willing to hold anything back and that would soon lead to a breakthrough after 34 minutes. It was disaster for Kyiv, as Willian floated a ball into the box which was headed into the Kyiv net by one of their own in Aleksandar Dragovic. Albeit with a touch of fortune, the Blues had taken a crucial lead.
Jose Mourinho was the recipient of full support from the hosts but the danger that the Ukranians brought could not be underestimated. Aleksandar Dragovic would redeem himself, however. Celebrations were jubilant with the travelling fans as Begovic was unable to collect Yarmolenko's corner with the ball falling to Dragovic who smashed it into the net.
With little time left there were worries that Chelsea would only leave with a point for their efforts. That was of course until Willian stepped up and took a free-kick opportunity to crush Kyiv's hearts.
From around 25 yards out, the Brazilian stepped up from the left and unleashed a perfect strike into the top left corner to set the blue side of London rocking and putting Mourinho on course to a massive victory.
Danger duo of Neymar and Suarez rolls past Borisov
Barcelona 3-0 BATE Borisov
Neymar bagged a double while Suárez got a goal for himself too as Barcelona would go on to cruise past BATE Borisov in style at the Camp Nou.
Borisov were able to hold on for the first half-hour, but their hard work would soon be unravelled when Neymar converted from the spot, with a short runup placing it into the bottom left corner.
It was a bit of a wait before Barcelona could really put the game to bed, Luis Suárez's classy finish right on the hour mark really wrapped things up. Continuing to flourish in the absence of Messi, Neymar and Suarez linked up well with the Brazilian feeding his fellow South American who evaded a couple of defenders before prodding it past the keeper from medium range.
Luis Enrique's tactical tweaks continued to work their wonders when Neymar bagged his second as Barca punished BATE with the break. With space behind, Suárez cut it back for Neymar who rolled it into the empty net and that completed a very successful home win for the Catalans.
Greeks wage war to rally against Zagreb
Olympiacos 2-1 Dinamo Zagreb
Olympiacos game from a goal behind to defeat Dinamo Zagreb as Pardo's late winner was the cause for euphoric celebrations.
Dinamo Zagreb silenced the home crowd early with Hodžić making the breakthrough. Pivaric was clear on the left to play in a delightful ball and allow the scorer to rise high in the air and head powerfully from the underside of the crossbar and straight into goal.
Having controlled the early stages it was a big shock for Olympiacos who grew frustrated as they couldn't threaten. 20 minutes into the second half and the rustling on the home fans seats would reduce significantly at the sight of an equaliser.
Ideye Brown found Pardo towards the right of the box where he rolled it towards his left boot and fired it inside the far post. Dinamo Zagreb then let themselves down when Pivarić received his second yellow and was sent off.
Capitalising accordingly, Pardo solidified the award for super-substitute of the night as he got on the end of Fortunis' lobbed ball and swiftly dispatched to give the Greeks a manic celebration and keep their hopes pushing forward to qualify.
Porto destroy Tel Aviv to edge closer to qualification
Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-3 Porto
Porto enjoyed an easy outing in Israel as they put three past Tel Aviv for another strong European victory.
Cristian Tello was found in plenty of space as Maccabi Tel Aviv really struggled to clear the danger, and the winger controlled well with his first touch before lifting it well over Rajkovic in the goal to give Porto the lead.
André André, just like his name, made it two of the same for Porto when he doubled the lead early in the second. After making a bright start following the itnerval, Pereira lobbed the ball high up in the air for him to head in.
Layún bundled up all the three points when Tello squared the ball to him for a nice finish after controlling the ball and packaging it up finely.
Eran Zahavi found a goal late for Tel Aviv, a souvenir for their efforts in Europe while it was something to think about for Porto, but nothing more than that as they cruised to victory in Israel.
Around Europe
The rest of the action
Gent 1-0 Valencia: Gent's first ever Champions League win was a huge one as the tournament's newbies stunned Valencia through Sven Kums' penalty early in the second half to put themselves in position to potentially grab qualification in a Group H which is now wide open.
Lyon 0-2 Zenit: Dzyuba's delightful double drenched Lyon as the Zenit start slotted in for the opener from Hulk's ball before dealing well with the pressure and again getting on the end of Hulk's assist to make it 2-0 and shut out the French side.
Brutal Bayern rip Arsenal to shreds
Bayern Munich 5-1 Arsenal
Bayern Munich avenged their 2-0 loss to Arsenal a fortnight ago as they ripped apart the Gunners in convincing fashion at the Allianz.
Bayern were quick to get working as Robert Lewandowski got back to getting the goals in Europe with an easy finish. Arsenal's defence just couldn't handle the quality as Thiago's ball was not picked up allowing the Pole to drift in and head past Cech.
Image: Daily Mail Sport |
There would be no luck involved in Bayern's third goal as David Alaba unleashed a beauty of a strike right before the interval from long range, winning the ball from Cazorla and having enough space to curl it centrally past Cech and stomp out any fires from the Gunners.
Image: SportsCenter |
There was a consolation though for Arsenal, but that's all it would be - Olivier Giroud scored a stunning strike which juxtaposed with the rather woeful appearance of his teammates at times. Sanchez lofted the ball towards the Frenchman who controlled it on his chest before unleashing a scissor kick flying past Manuel Neuer.
Just like the five-star display, it was now a five-goal display when Thomas Müller bagged the final goal of the night. Douglas Costa put him through where the marksman finely finished with a low attempt to put another exclamation mark to the many it proceeded - a masterclass from the German champions.
Full match report here
Image: ESPN FC |
Roma 3-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Roma and Bayer Leverkusen once again thrilled the masses when they took to the Stadio Olimpico, but this time Roma would walk away with the win as Pjanić's late spot-kick settled the contest in Italy.
Picking up where they left off from matchweek three's eight-goal thriller, it was just 2 minutes before a goal was seen at the Stadio Olimpico, with the hosts rejoicing. A lighting-fast counter-attack from Serie A's perennial contenders responded to Leverkusen's attack in devastating fashion, as Džeko sent Salah down the right before he slotted it past Leno for the opener. The Egyptian's pace on the flanks would continue to trouble the visitors.
Image: GOAL |
With fans calling the Bosnian's name euphorically, Edin Džeko almost made it three for Roma as they broke through yet again on the counter attack. This time he didn't find the target though, blazing it over the frame of goal.
As the pattern of the fixture would go, Leverkusen soon materialised a comeback. Just a minute into the second half, Kampl cut the ball back to Mehmedi who fired high into the net to cut the deficit and fuel the hopes of the Germans once more.
Image: DFB |
With the game now wide open after Leverkusen rallied themselves back into the game, it really could have gone either way. But the tipping point came in the 79th minute when Ömer Toprak was sent off for a clear foul after pushing Salah into goal to prevent the Egyptian from scoring as the ball trickled near the line.
A man down, and now potentially going a goal down, Leverkusen watched in fright while Miralem Pjanić stood at the spot with the Stadio Oimpico silent in anticipation. After what seemed like an eternity, with the Roma players unable to keep their eyes on it at the dugout, Pjanić swept it past the keeper and reinstated the Italians' lead, ultimately leading to a thrilling victory.
Image: Getty Images |
Chelsea 2-1 Dynamo Kyiv
Willian's stunning free-kick hoisted Chelsea to a massive victory in a special European night at Stamford Bridge as the Brazilian responded to a Kyiv equaliser to keep the Blues back in the right direction.
Stamford Bridge was rocking as the game kicked off at a very frantic pace. With a win crucial for both sides, neither was willing to hold anything back and that would soon lead to a breakthrough after 34 minutes. It was disaster for Kyiv, as Willian floated a ball into the box which was headed into the Kyiv net by one of their own in Aleksandar Dragovic. Albeit with a touch of fortune, the Blues had taken a crucial lead.
Image: Getty Images |
With little time left there were worries that Chelsea would only leave with a point for their efforts. That was of course until Willian stepped up and took a free-kick opportunity to crush Kyiv's hearts.
Image: The Chelsea Forum |
Danger duo of Neymar and Suarez rolls past Borisov
Barcelona 3-0 BATE Borisov
Neymar bagged a double while Suárez got a goal for himself too as Barcelona would go on to cruise past BATE Borisov in style at the Camp Nou.
Borisov were able to hold on for the first half-hour, but their hard work would soon be unravelled when Neymar converted from the spot, with a short runup placing it into the bottom left corner.
Image: Getty Images |
Image: ESPN FC |
Image: Getty Images |
Olympiacos 2-1 Dinamo Zagreb
Olympiacos game from a goal behind to defeat Dinamo Zagreb as Pardo's late winner was the cause for euphoric celebrations.
Dinamo Zagreb silenced the home crowd early with Hodžić making the breakthrough. Pivaric was clear on the left to play in a delightful ball and allow the scorer to rise high in the air and head powerfully from the underside of the crossbar and straight into goal.
Having controlled the early stages it was a big shock for Olympiacos who grew frustrated as they couldn't threaten. 20 minutes into the second half and the rustling on the home fans seats would reduce significantly at the sight of an equaliser.
Capitalising accordingly, Pardo solidified the award for super-substitute of the night as he got on the end of Fortunis' lobbed ball and swiftly dispatched to give the Greeks a manic celebration and keep their hopes pushing forward to qualify.
Porto destroy Tel Aviv to edge closer to qualification
Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-3 Porto
Porto enjoyed an easy outing in Israel as they put three past Tel Aviv for another strong European victory.
Cristian Tello was found in plenty of space as Maccabi Tel Aviv really struggled to clear the danger, and the winger controlled well with his first touch before lifting it well over Rajkovic in the goal to give Porto the lead.
André André, just like his name, made it two of the same for Porto when he doubled the lead early in the second. After making a bright start following the itnerval, Pereira lobbed the ball high up in the air for him to head in.
Layún bundled up all the three points when Tello squared the ball to him for a nice finish after controlling the ball and packaging it up finely.
Eran Zahavi found a goal late for Tel Aviv, a souvenir for their efforts in Europe while it was something to think about for Porto, but nothing more than that as they cruised to victory in Israel.
Around Europe
The rest of the action
Gent 1-0 Valencia: Gent's first ever Champions League win was a huge one as the tournament's newbies stunned Valencia through Sven Kums' penalty early in the second half to put themselves in position to potentially grab qualification in a Group H which is now wide open.
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