Soccer

Champions League round-up: Xavi’s first European game as boss ends in draw

Bayern Munich maintain perfect record; Atalanta and Young Boys play out thriller

Xavi’s Barcelona were held to a scoreless draw by Benfica. Photograph: Xavier Bonilla/Getty Images

Wed Nov 24 2021 - 08:10

Benfica held Barcelona to a scoreless draw in the Champions League at the Camp Nou on Tuesday night, meaning the second team to qualify for the Round of 16 from Group E behind Bayern Munich will be decided in the final game of the group stage. Barca are two points ahead of Benfica with one game still to play, but they face a daunting task in the last group when they travel to Germany to take on Bayern, who have a perfect winning record so far. Benfica, meanwhile, host winless Dinamo Kyiv at home in Lisbon in their final game.

Kyiv themselves succumbed to a 1-2 home defeat to Bayern Munich as the German side continued their perfect record in Group E. Robert Lewandowski and Kingsley Coman opened up a two goal lead for Bayern, and though a 70th minute Denys Harmash strike made the last 20 minutes interesting, Bayern had enough to secure the win.

A last-gasp penalty by Yaroslav Rakitskiy earned 10-man Zenit St Petersburg a 1-1 draw at Malmo FF in their Champions League Group H clash on Tuesday, ensuring that the Russians will play in the Europa League in the New Year. Danish midfielder Soren Rieks netted Malmo’s first goal of the group stage in the 28th minute, combining well with Veljko Birmancevic before firing a shot low to the keeper’s left to give his side the lead.

Jonathan David netted the only goal as Lille brushed aside their dismal domestic form to beat RB Salzburg 1-0 at home on Tuesday and take control of their Champions League group. The French champions are without a win in five Ligue 1 games but took the lead in the 31st minute when prolific Canadian striker David finished from close range after a mazy dribble from strike partner Burak Yilmaz.

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That result allowed Sevilla to moved to just a point behind Salzburg in the race for second in the group after their 2-0 win at home over Wolfsburg. Joan Jordan and Rafa Mir with the goals there as the Andalusian side kept their qualification hopes alive.

Atalanta missed the chance to leapfrog Villarreal in Group F as they nabbed a late 3-3 draw away to Young Boys. Heading into the final ten minutes, Atalanta held a 1-2 lead but two strikes in four minutes form Vincent Sierro and Silvan Hefti turned the contest on its head before a late Luis Muriel effort ensured a share of the spoils.