UEFA Champions League Round-up

A comprehensive review of all tonight's football around Europe 

Lucas dashes Gunners' group hopes
Arsenal 2-2 Paris Saint-Germain
EXTRACTED FROM WAQAR HUSSAIN'S MATCH REPORT

A deflected header from Lucas Moura allowed PSG to claw back a point at the Emirates after a Marco Verratti own goal had gifted Arsenal a second half lead. Earlier on in the match, Edinson Cavani opened the scoring with a poacher's finish at the back post, before Olivier Giroud tied things up from a spot kick before the interval.

The visitors grew into the game, and were looking to make their domination of the ball count, as Thiago Silva directed a corner towards goal via his thigh, before Gibbs reacted well to hoof the ball away off the line. The home defence continued to be bamboozled by the fluidity of Cavani's movement though, and the Uruguayan popped up to stab home after a clever piece of play by Blaise Matuidi down the left flank.

Image: UEFA

As the seconds wound down towards half time, a lifeline presented itself to Arsenal, with Alexis Sanchez collecting possession on the left wing. The diminutive Chilean kicked into top gear, chopping inside the challenge of Krychowiak and drawing a foul. Referee Felix Brych was left in no doubt, pointing to the spot, much to the elation of an otherwise tepid Emirates crowd. In the final act of the first half, Giroud stepped forth to bury the penalty into the bottom corner from 12 yards, levelling the game and reinstating Arsenal as group leaders as it stood.

Olivier Giroud has scored 5 goals in his last 5 games for Arsenal. 👌#UCL pic.twitter.com/u9WNOfYdBz

— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 23, 2016

On the hour, Arsenal were eventually able to take the lead, with Marquinhos' clearance ricocheting back in off Verratti, a gift for the Gunners hand delivered by their guests. Despite how it came about, the goal was a deserved one for the hosts, as they had begun to break PSG down as the half wore on, firmly taking control of the game as Koscielny continued to do a fine job in marshalling the back line whenever the visitors broke through Meunier.

Barça can now face Bayern or Arsenal in the R16, compared to face Juventus or PSG if they finished second. Not much significance after all.

— Sergi Domínguez (@FutbolSergi) November 23, 2016

The Gunners should have effectively ended the contest with 15 minutes remaining, as Ramsey fell short of meeting Sanchez's cross at the back post, giving PSG the hope that all was not lost. Ospina did well to smother a brilliant cross by Meunier, but his defence failed him as Lucas escaped the attentions of Jenkinson to nod home from Ben Arfa's corner, with a deflection from Iwobi ultimately wrong footing the goalkeeper.

Image: BBC Sport

Messi magic show rolls into Glasgow
Celtic 0-2 Barcelona

A marvellous brace constructed by Lionel Messi drowned out Celtic as the world's most prolific front three did what they do best in Scotland.

Lionel Messi was looking lively right off the bat, although Celtic Park wasn't just spectating as their own made for a frantic pace. It was the Argentine who did strike first halfway through the first 45, cradling Neymar's chipped delivery and knocking it past the goalkeeper.

Image: UEFA.com

Luis Suárez then came incredibly close to scoring against his former manager's club when Messi lobbed one over the opposition for the Uruguayan to plant a header of which was spectacularly saved by Gordon.

Image: Action Images

Still, despite a wealth of Catalanian chances, Celtic still had a chance to seize the moment. That pretty much came tumbling down when Izaguirre felled Suárez to provide a penalty opportunity which Messi drove down the middle for his second.

Barcelona looked solid once again and will be ferocious opposotion for anyone who happens to stumble across them in the knockouts.

Lionel Messi has now been involved in 750 goals in his career (662 apps)
Barcelona 471 goals, 185 assists
Argentina 57 goals, 37 assists pic.twitter.com/H9teppnr3p

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) November 23, 2016

Spoils shared in Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-1 Manchester City

David Silva equalised late in the first half to hand Manchester City a point in their German away day, sending the Citizens through to the knockouts.

Image: City Watch

In fitting, German fashion, 'Gladbach came out with a heavy press and forced a simple early save for Bravo. Manchester City were growing in activity, but it wasn't enough to stifle the hosts who steered in front with Raffael.

Image: Gladbach

Lars Stindl beat Stones in the air to burst through and set up the Brazilian to send his shot whizzing by Sterling and Bravo, handing the Bundesliga side the advantage and giving Pep Guardiola plenty of food for thought.

Both keepers were brought in to make fine saves thereafter, first Yann Sommer thwarted Gündogan's drive, before Bravo held Wednt from close range. Agüero then joined the queue, but still City were set to go into the interval trailing.

That was until, in stoppage time, David Silva threw the plans out of the window. Raheem Sterling split the defence to find De Bruyne, who crossed it in the direction of Agüero, but it was Silva who got in front first to guide it towards the far post.

There were no more goals to follow - but there were red cards, as both teams ended with 10 men.

The @ChampionsLeague last 16 draw will take place on 12 December.

🙌 if you're in the hat! #mcfc #UCLDraw pic.twitter.com/0MqdcRNRHC

— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 23, 2016

Image: BBC Sport

Rostov startle giants for first win
Rostov 3-2 Bayern Munich

FC Rostov claimed their first ever UEFA Champions League victory while condemning Bayern Munich to consecutive losses for the first time in one and a half years.

Image: Squawka

After pulling the strings for most of the first half, it was expected to be another stroll in the park for Ancelotti's side, who pulled in front after 35 minutes thanks to a powerful strike from Douglas Costa. The ball rolled into his path after some messy ricocheting in the danger zone, and he let fly well out of reach.

Serdar Azmoun altered the half-time team talks just as they were about to be delivered though for Rostov, settling the score by outdoing Boateng and then slipping it past Neuer. Little did the Russian home fans know that things would get better 15 minutes later.

Image: SuperSport

Phillip Lahm would end up ruing a huge chance when his teammate Boateng was penalised for a foul in the area. Up stepped Dmitriy Poloz who beat Neuer to put Rostov in front, although the lead would be short-lived as Juan Bernat tied it at 2 apiece after a convenient assist from Ribéry.

In the 67th minute, Rostov fans would explode into more euphoria when Christian Noboa's free-kick crept past Neuer and gave something for them to cling on to dear life. The curling effort bounced low towards the right of goal, and from then on in, despite bombardments from the Bavarians, Rostov braved it out and sealed a landmark win in the process - their first ever Champions League win.

Image: ESPN

WOW!!

FC Rostov beat Bayern Munich!

The Russians first EVER #UCL win pic.twitter.com/2qOAyDZOrN

— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) November 23, 2016

Cuando Noboa tiene cerca a su mujer no le pega a los palos, sino que se manda unos golazos. #UCL 👏👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/jv2RC8g5E8

— UN NOBLE CABALLERO (@El_Padrinator) November 23, 2016

Miracle of Istanbul part II
Beşiktaş 3-3 Benfica

Beşiktaş pulled off a stunning comeback to claw back a point after being three goals down to Benfica in Istanbul, reenacting the "Istanbul Miracle" which saw a comeback from Premier League club Liverpool 11 years prior.

Image: Beşiktaş JK

Benfica looked to have it all nipped in the bud in the midst of the first half, as they ripped apart their Turkish opponents starting some 10 minutes in through Goncalo Guedes, unlocked by a ball towards the top of the area and took it around the keeper.

Nelsinho added to the lead with a venomous strike which clipped off the bar before it was 3 with Ljubomir Fejsa directing it home after a series of close calls.

Image: SL Benfica

Cenk Tosun's spectacular scissor kick would galvanize and prep Beşiktaş for a fightback in the second half, connecting on a cross with a sweet strike to put it out of range for the save.

What a goal this was earlier from #Besiktas player Tosun! Imagine the attention if it was CR7/Messi 😳 #UCL pic.twitter.com/kApc31IvOt

— Football Weekly (@Tomandthesquad) November 23, 2016

Continuous attempts to chip away at the lead were eventually rewarded when a handball from Lindelof gave a penalty opportunity for the hosts, one of which Ricardo Quaresma fired home to set up a thrilling finale.

Quaresma was the architect in the lead which settled the score with a sumptuous rabona cross which was flicked in by Aboubakar, and the comeback was complete. The group meanwhile was still in the melting pot, after the hosts refused to give in.

...y el 3º del Besiktas, Aboubakar, con rabona previa de Quaresmapic.twitter.com/tyy85zotMQ

— Mesut OzzZZZzzil (@Besuguiiin) November 23, 2016

Image: Soccer Assembly

Griezmann guides Atleti on

Atlético Madrid 2-0 PSV Eindhoven

Atlético Madrid remained the only team with a 100% record in the tournament as an assist and goal from Griezmann helped them see off PSV.

Image: Mirror

Chances were few and far between in the first half, with Gameiro's big chance the only talking point of the period. He would then break the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half by unleashing a cool strike from outside the box on Griezmann's pass. 

Scorer then turned provider when Griezmann all but sealed the top spot in the group, netting neatly after Tiago's set-up. The final whistle meant Simeone's men had it all wrapped up, with a fifth win out of five.

5 - Atlético de Madrid have won five games in a row in #UCL for the first time ever. Balsam. pic.twitter.com/gbHJO5tqrW

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 23, 2016