UEFA Champions League Matchday 7: Barcelona comeback secures victory, Salah sends Liverpool through
Atletico, Barcelona, and Liverpool secure thrilling wins, while Villa and Dortmund face crucial setbacks in UCL.
Sports Desk |
January 22, 2025
In a dramatic round of Champions League action, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool, and other top European clubs were all involved in intense matches, each with its captivating storyline. Let’s take a closer look at the key fixtures and moments from the latest matchday.
Barcelona stun Benfica in dramatic comeback
Barcelona produced an incredible fightback to defeat Benfica 5-4 in one of the most thrilling games of the season.
Benfica had raced into a 3-1 lead with a stunning hat-trick from Vangelis Pavlidis, aided by two costly errors from goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Barcelona managed to claw back, thanks to goals from Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, as well as a late equaliser from Eric Garcia.
The game had more drama in store, with an own goal from Ronald Araujo seemingly sealing a Benfica win, but Barcelona refused to give up. Lewandowski’s second penalty and a late winner from Raphinha completed a remarkable turnaround.
Barcelona’s victory ensured their place in the knockout stages, while Benfica will need to regroup after squandering a strong position.
Atletico Madrid defy odds to beat Bayer Leverkusen
Atletico Madrid pulled off an extraordinary comeback to defeat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 despite playing with 10 men for over an hour.
A red card in the 25th minute, after Pablo Barrios' tackle on Nordi Mukiele, looked like it would severely hinder the Spanish side's chances.
However, Atletico fought back bravely, with Julian Alvarez scoring both goals, including a 90th-minute winner. Leverkusen initially took the lead with a header from Piero Hincapie in the first half, but Atletico's resilience shone in the second period.
After Alvarez’s equaliser in the 53rd minute, Leverkusen's composure faltered, and Hincapie was shown a second yellow card. The match ended in wild celebrations for Atletico as Alvarez sealed the victory with a clinical finish in the dying moments.
Atletico’s victory lifted them to third in the group, with both teams now hoping for a top-eight finish to secure automatic qualification to the knockout rounds.
Mohamed Salah’s 50th European goal propels Liverpool past Lille
Liverpool secured a crucial 2-1 win over Lille at Anfield, with Mohamed Salah scoring his 50th European goal for the club. Salah's clinical strike in the 34th minute, following a brilliant through ball from Curtis Jones, gave Liverpool the lead.
Lille’s hopes were dampened after they were reduced to 10 men just before the break when Aissa Mandi was sent off. Although Lille briefly equalized through Jonathan David, Liverpool responded with a deflected strike from Harvey Elliott to regain the lead.
Despite a disallowed goal from Darwin Nunez, Liverpool held on for the win, keeping their perfect record intact in the Champions League group stage. The victory secured Liverpool’s place in the last 16, where they will be seeded for the knockout phase.
Aston Villa stumble against Monaco in must-win final
Aston Villa’s hopes of securing an automatic spot in the Champions League knockout stage took a hit after they were defeated 1-0 by Monaco. Wilfried Singo’s early header proved to be the difference in a match that Villa dominated in terms of possession but failed to capitalize on their chances.
Despite some strong saves from goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, Villa was unable to find the equalizer. The loss means that Villa must defeat Celtic in their final group-stage game to ensure they finish in the top eight. Monaco’s win put them level on points with Villa, keeping their knockout-stage ambitions alive.
Borussia Dortmund’s struggles continue as Sahin's job hangs in the balance
Borussia Dortmund’s disastrous form continued with a 2-1 loss to Bologna, marking their fourth consecutive defeat across all competitions. The German side, who had led the game 1-0, conceded two quick goals in the second half, leaving them outside of the automatic qualification spots for the Champions League knockout rounds.
Dortmund’s inconsistency under Turkish manager Nuri Sahin has raised doubts about his future, with rumours circulating about potential replacements, including former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.
The loss leaves Dortmund with a mountain to climb in their final group-stage match, as they hope to salvage their campaign and avoid dropping into the play-offs.
Looking ahead
As the group stage nears its conclusion, the fight for automatic qualification and a spot in the knockout rounds intensifies. Barcelona and Liverpool have already qualified as 2 of the top 8 sides, automatically through to the Round of 16 stage.
Other clubs will continue to battle for their place in the last 16, with exciting, high-stakes matches on the horizon. The Champions League remains as unpredictable and thrilling as ever, with teams showing remarkable resilience and some unforgettable moments.
Stay tuned for more drama as Europe’s elite clubs strive for glory in the world’s most prestigious football competition.
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