Bayern Munich, PSG, Juventus Go Through, Rodrygo Breaks Out in Champions League
The first three clubs have sealed their places in the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League, with Bayern Munich, PSG and Juventus earning their way with two games to spare.
All three won on Wednesday to ensure passage, although their victories were achieved in markedly different manners.
Juventus needed a late, sensational goal from Douglas Costa to beat Lokomotiv Moscow 2-1, while Bayern Munich labored to beat Olympiakos 2-0 in the first match since Niko Kovac was fired, with Robert Lewandowski's 69th-minute strike and Ivan Perisic's goal just after he entered off the bench 20 minutes later sealing the win.
PSG, meanwhile, edged Club Brugge 1-0 thanks to Mauro Icardi's latest goal and Keylor Navas's penalty save–which keeps PSG without a goal conceded through four UCL matches.
Man City couldn't quite clinch its place, as it was held to a 1-1 draw by Atalanta. Raheem Sterling's early goal looked to put City on its way, but the visitors were made to rue Gabriel Jesus's horrendous penalty miss and settled for the draw on a night when Kyle Walker was forced into goal for the final nine minutes of the match.
In the other game in that group, Shakhtar Donetsk scored twice in stoppage time to draw 3-3 with Dinamo Zagreb and steal a point in fiery conditions in Croatia. Both are on five points, five points behind Pep Guardiola's side in Group C.
In Group A, PSG is through, and Real Madrid isn't far behind after riding an electric hat trick from Rodrygo and a double from Karim Benzema to a 6-0 win over Galatasaray.
In Group B, Tottenham also appears to be comfortably on its way to the knockout round after a 4-0 win at Red Star Belgrade put Spurs four points clear of third place. Bayern is five points ahead of Tottenham and can secure a first-place finish in its next match.
In Group D, Juve is through, but Atletico Madrid couldn't join in after being upended by Bayer Leverkusen 2-1. Atleti leads Leverkusen and Lokomotiv both by four points with two games to go.
Here's a closer look at three aspects that stood out on the day in the Champions League:
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The Rodrygo Show hits the Bernabeu
Real Madrid has been seeking sparks and signs of rejuvenation, and Rodrygo certainly provided that with his perfect hat trick vs. Galatasaray.
The 18-year-old Brazilian sensation scored twice within seven minutes–assisted both times by countryman Marcelo–and added a third late to lead the 6-0 rout and become the second-youngest player to score a hat trick in the Champions League (the youngest being Real Madrid legend Raul).
Rodrygo also played provider, pouncing on a backpass to feed Benzema on a quick-hitting sequence. Benzema added a second late on to give him 50 Champions League goals in his career, and the two attacking stars combined to give Real what's become a rarity–a comfortable, one-sided win.
Outside of the 5-0 league win over Leganes last Wednesday, Real Madrid hadn't won a game by three or more goals since April 21 (vs. Athletic Bilbao). Suffice it to say, this was a welcome performance, one should result in more first-team time for Rodrygo and one that demonstrated the possibilities when Real Madrid mixes its aging talent with its rising core.
Game-changing moments send Juve through
Juventus was far from dominant at Lokomotiv Moscow, but two late moments turned the tide in Russia.
First was Leonardo Bonucci's perfect, graceful goal-line clearance in the 78th minute, with the Italian veteran racing into position and calmly making the block on a would-be match-winner for the hosts.
Then came Douglas Costa's bit of magic, with the Brazilian weaving through the defense, working a wonderful combination with Gonzalo Higuain and nutmegging goalkeeper Guilherme to seal the win at the death.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been the one accustomed to making the game-changing moments on the Champions League stage, but his teammates took on that task on Wednesday. Ronaldo, to his credit, should've had the opener, but Aaron Ramsey managed to get a slight tap on his third-minute free kick that squeezed through Guilherme to the goal mouth.
Champions League: Where the weird happens
You never know what you're going to see in the Champions League. Sometimes it's a goal that looks like a FIFA glitch. Other times it's a field player forced into goal thanks an injury and a red card.
Let's start with the former. Tottenham coasted by Red Star Belgrade 4-0, but its opening goal was pure comedy.
Let's break down the sequence: Hitting the post, a goal-line clearance, a mauling of Dele Alli that should've resulted in a penalty, a close-range redirect off the crossbar and then mercifully Giovani Lo Celso's goal.
Persistence pays off.
Meanwhile, Tottenham's Premier League fellow Man City was dealt a curveball after Ederson was forced off injured and Claudio Bravo was sent off. That forced Kyle Walker–yes, English international fullback Kyle Walker–into goal during a tie game. And he delivered!
The best part about Walker's performance is that neither Ederson nor Bravo had to make a save while they were on the field. Walker led the team with his one.
Barring a quick recovery by Ederson, it'll be Bravo in goal for Man City on Sunday at Liverpool–but Walker has at least stated his case.
