Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain racked up an impressive 5-2 victory at home to Chelsea in their UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg on Wednesday, while Federico Valverde scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid secured a three-goal cushion of their own against Man City.
Bodø/Glimt continued their own stunning campaign by beating Sporting CP 3-0, while league phase table-toppers Arsenal, who had won eight from eight to this point, were held to a 1-1 draw at Leverkusen in Wednesday’s action.
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PSG take a sizeable cushion against Chelsea
Two late goals from substitute Khvicha Kvaratskhelia gave the holders a sizeable cushion to take to London next week. Bradley Barcola’s half-volley into the top corner put Paris ahead and, though Malo Gusto levelled, Ousmane Dembélé restored the advantage on the break having earlier seen Filip Jørgensen push another effort on to a post.
The visitors responded once more, this time through Enzo Fernández, but Vitinha then made it 3-2. A ferocious Kvaratskhelia strike and a tap-in from the Georgian international then followed to leave Luis Enrique’s side with one foot in the last eight.
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“We’ll try to analyse the match. We’ll try to play the second leg in the same way as we did today. We’ll try to win the game. That’s the best mentality as if we’re thinking about defending our lead, it could be a big mistake,” Enrique said on navigating next week’s second leg.
“Our objective was to win the game. Generally, I’m disappointed about the extra two goals as that now makes the tie very difficult,” said Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior.
PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was named the Player of the Match.
Real Madrid brook no challenge against Man City
Valverde’s sublime first-half treble put Los Blancos in control of the latest knockout stage encounter between these sides. Captain Valverde edged the hosts in front midway through the opening period after latching on to a precise Thibaut Courtois pass, rounding Gianluigi Donnarumma and slotting in.
The Uruguayan international doubled his tally seven minutes later with a crisp left-footed effort and claimed the match ball just before the interval with a well-taken volley. Vinícius Júnior’s penalty was saved in the second half. Real Madrid won 3-0.
Federico Valverde of Real Madrid was named the Player of the Match.
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“This is my 50th time against Madrid as a player and coach – I suppose that this is my ‘birthday’ in terms of times facing them – and they’re always like this. Any time you think, or other people think, that they are down in the dumps, you can bet that they are going to fight back,” said Man City manager Pep Guardiola.
Bodø/Glimt fairy-tale run continues
Bodø/Glimt’s fairy-tale maiden Champions League campaign continues as they made it five straight wins in the competition and moved to the verge of the quarterfinals thanks to a superb first-leg display against Sporting. Bodø/Glimt won 3-0.
Sondre Brunstad Fet’s penalty set the hosts on their way before Ole Didrik Blomberg doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time. Kasper Høgh’s fifth goal in his last five Champions League games means the hosts in Lisbon next week will have it all to do.
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Sondre Brunstad Fet of Bodø/Glimt was the Player of the Match.
Havertz helps Arsenal hold Leverkusen
Former Leverkusen forward Kai Havertz converted a late penalty to rescue a draw for Arsenal at BayArena. The tie ended in a 1-1 draw.
Gabriel Martinelli struck the bar with the best chance of a tight first half but Leverkusen raced out of the blocks and took the lead within a minute of the restart – Martin Terrier testing David Raya at the end of a slick move straight from kick-off before Robert Andrich headed in the resulting corner.
The visitors looked set for a first defeat of the Champions League season until substitute Noni Madueke burst down the right to win a late penalty which Havertz rolled in.
Leverkusen’s Robert Andrich was the Player of the Match.
