PL giants get job done as Ange’s arch rivals become worst team in Champions League history

PL giants get job done as Ange’s arch rivals become worst team in Champions League history

Tottenham sealed top spot in Group D with the last kick of the game while Liverpool ended Napoli’s 21-game unbeaten run but a 2-0 win was not enough to dislodge the Italians from top spot in Champions League Group A.

In what was a dramatic day of action in the Champions League, Atletico Madrid were sent packing from Europe after defeat in Porto while Rangers recorded some unwanted history as they became the worst European side ever following a 3-1 defeat to Ajax.

Powerhouse clubs Bayern Munich and Barcelona had emphatic victories while Eintracht Frankfurst beat Sporting 2-1.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scored with the last kick of the game as Tottenham Hotspur came from behind to beat Marseille 2-1 and qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League.

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Hojbjerg broke away to finish emphatically in the fifth minute of injury time, sealing a Spurs comeback that means they progress as Group D winners while Marseille are eliminated from Europe altogether.

Clement Lenglet had earlier headed the Premier League side back on level terms after a Chancel Mbemba goal had given Marseille the lead at the break.

Hojbjerg’s last-gasp strike allowed Antonio Conte’s team to leapfrog Eintracht Frankfurt, who also advance after a 2-1 win away to Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.

They weren’t the only English side celebrating, with Liverpool delivering a statement performance against red-hot Napoli.

Both sides were already guaranteed their places in the last 16, but Jurgen Klopp’s men again shrugged off their Premier League problems on a European night at Anfield.

Mohamed Salah forced the ball over the line after Alex Meret just kept out Darwin Nunez’s header five minutes from time.

Nunez then added a second with the last kick of the game to secure a fifth consecutive Champions League win for Liverpool since losing 4-1 to Napoli in September.

The comprehensive margin of that win meant Luciano Spalletti’s just needed to avoid defeat by a four-goal margin to secure top spot.

Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting continued his lethal form up front for Bayern Munich Tuesday as the German giants beat Inter Milan 2-0 to complete a perfect record in the Champions League group stage.

Choupo-Moting scored for the sixth game in a row with a brilliant long-range strike in the second half to hand Bayern a comfortable win in Munich.

Victory made it six wins in six games in the group stage for Bayern — the second time in a row and the third time in four years they have achieved the feat.

“We knew it would be something special to win all six games, especially in a group as tough as this one,” said Choupo-Moting, whose side have sailed through a supposed group of death with wins over Inter, Barcelona and Viktoria Plzen.

Darwin Nunez of Liverpool celebrates after scoring their team’s second against Napoli at Anfield on November 01, 2022 in Liverpool. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Porto sealed top spot in Champions League Group B with a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, with the Spanish side dumped out of Europe entirely as Bayer Leverkusen finished third.

Diego Simeone’s team were hoping to reach the Europa League after their elimination was sealed last week, but they lost on a miserable night in Portugal for the 2014 and 2016 runners-up.

Bayer Leverkusen drew 0-0 with second-placed surprise package Club Brugge in the other game, moving level with Atletico on five points and finishing ahead of them on head-to-head, leaving the Spanish side bottom of a group which they expected to win.

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Atletico Madrid’s Montenegrin defender Stefan Savic (C) and teammates react at the end of the UEFA Champions League 1st round match in Porto on November 1, 2022. Photo: AFPSource: AFP

The two prior times Atletico were knocked out in the group stage they went on to win the Europa League, in 2009-10 and 2017-18, but this limp defeat ensured they cannot find similar consolation this season.

“We did not deserve to reach the last 16 or even the Europa League, that’s how it is, if you only win one group game then that’s what you get,” admitted Atletico striker Antoine Griezmann, speaking to Movistar.

“Now we have to focus hard, work, shut our mouths and fight. We are a difficult team to face if we believe it, we all work, if we all row in the same direction with the coach.

“We’re all proud to work with him and at this club but we have to show it on the pitch.”

It is the first time Atletico have finished bottom of the group in the Champions League, with more questions than ever being asked of Simeone, who has been at the helm since December 2011.

The Argentine coach handed Joao Felix a rare start, impressed by the Portuguese forward’s impact even as Atletico lost 3-2 against Cadiz on Saturday.

However he, like the rest of Atletico’s team, was thoroughly outplayed at the Estadio do Dragao, with only goalkeeper Jan Oblak stopping the hosts racking up a bigger first-half lead.

Mehdi Taremi struck after just five minutes, turning home Evanilson’s pass from close range for his fifth goal of the group stage.

FC Porto’s Iranian forward Mehdi Taremi (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal at the Dragao stadium in Porto. Photo: AFPSource: AFP

Porto could have doubled their advantage against a shaken Atletico when Taremi’s clever reverse pass played in Galeno, but Oblak saved superbly with his feet.

With the visitors struggling to string together more than a few passes, it was no surprise when the second goal came, driven home by Canada international Stephen Eustaquio after being teed up by Galeno.

Porto should have grabbed a third when the excellent Taremi set up Evanilson, but the Brazilian forward slashed an effort over the crossbar.

Antoine Griezmann drove home for Atletico but the goal was ruled out for a foul in the build-up as Simeone’s side started to show some belated signs of life.

Atletico Madrid’s Argentinian coach Diego Simeone is under immense pressure to retain his job. Photo: AFPSource: AFP

The game turned into an end to end clash as Atletico’s desperation increased, while Porto sought another goal to put the game beyond doubt.

Angel Correa forced a save from Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who also denied Yannick Carrasco, while Evanilson missed another clear chance when he headed straight at Oblak.

The Slovenian goalkeeper was at his very best, unlike his colleagues, making further impressive saves to keep Porto at bay, as he was left exposed.

Porto conceded in stoppage time when Ivan Marcano headed a corner into his own net, but unlike last season, when two late goals earned Atletico passage to the last 16, they could not complete the comeback.