Firmino’s late strike hands Liverpool victory
Forward scores in extra time as Klopp’s men rout PSG 3-2 at Anfield
Firminho saw a good part of the match from the bench due an eye injury suffered in the Premier League fixture against Tottenham. PHOTO: AFP
LIVERPOOL/ MILAN:
Liverpool left it late but showed Paris Saint-Germain have plenty of work to do if they are to challenge for a first-ever Champions League title as Roberto Firmino struck a stoppage time winner in a 3-2 victory at Anfield on Tuesday.
Despite the late drama, victory was well deserved for last season's finalists who dominated throughout and bounced back from blowing a 2-0 first-half lead to take the early advantage in Group C.
Daniel Sturridge and a James Milner penalty put the hosts in command before Thomas Meunier reduced PSG's arrears.
Having kept Kylian Mbappe and the world's most expensive player Neymar quiet for almost the entire match, Liverpool seemed set to pay a heavy price for one poor pass by Mohamed Salah as Mbappe swept home seven minutes from time in front of a stunned Kop.
But Firmino, who started on the bench due to an eye injury suffered against Tottenham on Saturday, had the final say as he twisted and turned before firing into the far corner to stretch Liverpool's perfect start to the season to six games.
"You can bring Bobby Firmino on and that helps a lot," said Klopp after the Brazilian celebrated by covering his injured left eye. "I loved his goal celebration."
Ronaldo takes centre stage as Juve aim for European glory
Icardi sparks Inter's comeback to stun Spurs
A stunning Mauro Icardi volley sparked a thrilling late Inter Milan comeback as the Italian side beat Tottenham 2-1 on their return to the Champions League after a seven-year absence on Tuesday.
Christian Eriksen's deflected strike gave Spurs a 53rd-minute lead at the San Siro, and the visitors looked comfortable for much of the second half.
But Argentinian striker Icardi hammered home a magnificent volley in the 86th minute to draw Inter level, and Matias Vecino took advantage of some slack Tottenham defending at a corner to nod in a dramatic injury-time winner.
"It was a spectacular evening, we did what we needed to do," said Icardi after his first goal of the season on his Champions League debut.
Inter Milan — who last won the trophy in 2010 under Jose Mourinho — were returning to Europe's elite event for the first time since 2011-12, with Tottenham eliminated last season in the knockout rounds by Juventus.
Champions League provides perfect stage for Salah to silence naysayers
"This is exactly what the fans want to see," said Inter coach Luciano Spalletti. "Icardi scored a magnificent goal. The team had a great game and really went for it in the end."
The win leaves Inter second in the early Group B table, behind Barcelona on goal difference after the Catalan giants thrashed PSV Eindhoven 4-0 with a Lionel Messi hat-trick.
The late drama was greeted with deafening applause from the 66,000 crowd in the San Siro, who minutes earlier had feared Inter's disastrous start to the Serie A campaign would carry over into Europe.
"We came into this game with quite a few problems," said Spalletti. "I think that winning in the last minute after turning around the result gives you a lot of enthusiasm and self-belief. The reaction is a sign we are on the right path."
Liverpool left it late but showed Paris Saint-Germain have plenty of work to do if they are to challenge for a first-ever Champions League title as Roberto Firmino struck a stoppage time winner in a 3-2 victory at Anfield on Tuesday.
Despite the late drama, victory was well deserved for last season's finalists who dominated throughout and bounced back from blowing a 2-0 first-half lead to take the early advantage in Group C.
Daniel Sturridge and a James Milner penalty put the hosts in command before Thomas Meunier reduced PSG's arrears.
Having kept Kylian Mbappe and the world's most expensive player Neymar quiet for almost the entire match, Liverpool seemed set to pay a heavy price for one poor pass by Mohamed Salah as Mbappe swept home seven minutes from time in front of a stunned Kop.
But Firmino, who started on the bench due to an eye injury suffered against Tottenham on Saturday, had the final say as he twisted and turned before firing into the far corner to stretch Liverpool's perfect start to the season to six games.
"You can bring Bobby Firmino on and that helps a lot," said Klopp after the Brazilian celebrated by covering his injured left eye. "I loved his goal celebration."
Ronaldo takes centre stage as Juve aim for European glory
Icardi sparks Inter's comeback to stun Spurs
A stunning Mauro Icardi volley sparked a thrilling late Inter Milan comeback as the Italian side beat Tottenham 2-1 on their return to the Champions League after a seven-year absence on Tuesday.
Christian Eriksen's deflected strike gave Spurs a 53rd-minute lead at the San Siro, and the visitors looked comfortable for much of the second half.
But Argentinian striker Icardi hammered home a magnificent volley in the 86th minute to draw Inter level, and Matias Vecino took advantage of some slack Tottenham defending at a corner to nod in a dramatic injury-time winner.
"It was a spectacular evening, we did what we needed to do," said Icardi after his first goal of the season on his Champions League debut.
Inter Milan — who last won the trophy in 2010 under Jose Mourinho — were returning to Europe's elite event for the first time since 2011-12, with Tottenham eliminated last season in the knockout rounds by Juventus.
Champions League provides perfect stage for Salah to silence naysayers
"This is exactly what the fans want to see," said Inter coach Luciano Spalletti. "Icardi scored a magnificent goal. The team had a great game and really went for it in the end."
The win leaves Inter second in the early Group B table, behind Barcelona on goal difference after the Catalan giants thrashed PSV Eindhoven 4-0 with a Lionel Messi hat-trick.
The late drama was greeted with deafening applause from the 66,000 crowd in the San Siro, who minutes earlier had feared Inter's disastrous start to the Serie A campaign would carry over into Europe.
"We came into this game with quite a few problems," said Spalletti. "I think that winning in the last minute after turning around the result gives you a lot of enthusiasm and self-belief. The reaction is a sign we are on the right path."