National player Robin Gosens almost gave FC Barcelona the fatal blow, but then Robert Lewandowski hit back again. It's still possible to advance in the Champions League. This also applies to Liverpool FC - but much more relaxed. Meanwhile, Bruges creates a sensation.
Jürgen Klopp is about to reach the last 16 of the Champions League with Liverpool. The English won at Glasgow Rangers 7-1 (1-1) - the fans experienced more spectacle than drama. Roberto Firmino (24th minute, 55th) scored twice for the Reds after Scott Arfield (17th) gave the Scottish record champions the lead. Darwin Núñez (66') increased before substitute Mohamed Salah (75', 80', 81') made it all clear with a hat-trick. It was the fastest hat-trick in Champions League history. Harvey Elliott (87th) scored the final score.
Behind SSC Napoli (12 points), who have already qualified for the round of 16, Liverpool (9) have the best chance of progressing in Group A with two games left. Rangers (0) are only fighting for third place, Ajax Amsterdam (3) still has a small theoretical chance of second place.
Star striker Robert Lewandowski initially saved FC Barcelona from the first major disappointment of the season. The 34-year-old scored late against Inter Milan to make it 3-3 (1-0) - in a home defeat, the Catalans would have been eliminated from Group C early. Former Dortmund player Ousmane Dembélé (40') had put Barcelona ahead but Inter turned the game around in the second half after goals from Nicolo Barrella (50') and Lautaro Martinez (63'). Lewandowski's equalizer to make it 2-2 (82') only lasted briefly because Robin Gosens (87') scored. However, Lewandowski headed the final score (90.2), goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen saved the important point with a world-class save.
FC Brugge and SSC Napoli are in the round of 16 early. In the Bayer Leverkusen group, a 0-0 draw at Atlético Madrid was enough for the Belgian soccer champions Bruges to make it into the top 16 for the first time in the club's history. The surprise leader survived Atlético's final offensive after suffering a yellow-red card against Kamal Sowah (82nd).
In Group A, Napoli won 4-2 (2-0) against Ajax Amsterdam at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Hirving Lozano (4th), Giacomo Raspadori (16th), Chwischa Kwarazchelia (62nd, hand penalty) and Victor Osimhen (89th) scored for the Italians, Ajax were allowed through goals by Davy Klaassen (49th) and Steven Bergwijn ( 83., penalty kick) temporarily hope for a point, but missed an improvement in their starting position. With their fourth win in four games, Naples qualified for the round of 16 under coach Luciano Spalletti.
With the advancement of Munich, Naples and Bruges, five round of 16 have already been determined. Already on Tuesday, defending champions Real Madrid with former world champion Toni Kroos in Group F of cup winners RB Leipzig and England champions Manchester City with international İlkay Gündoğan in Group G of runners-up Borussia Dortmund were in the top 16. Real drew 1-1 at Shakhtar Donetsk, and the Citizens also went through the 0-0 at FC Copenhagen without another win in the next round.
