Thursday, 14 September 2017

UEFA Champions League Review - Matchday 2 (Groups E-H)

Harry Kane's brace sinks Borussia Dortmund at Wembley

Cristiano Ronaldo marked his return with a brace against APOEL

Liverpool & Sevilla fought a neck-and-neck 2-2 thriller

Manchester City made an emphatic statement at Feyenoord

Shakhtar Donetsk earned a valuable home win against Napoli

Besiktas put in an impressive display away at Porto

RB Leipzig registered their first ever CL point

Matchday 2

Groups E, F, G, H


Matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League 2017/18 campaign has rounded off in style with Real Madrid, Tottenham, Man City, Shakhtar Donetsk and Besiktas all picking up their first wins. A total of 26 goals were scored on Matchday 2 as only 2 teams managed to keep a clean sheet.


Matchday 1 saw a total of 28 goals which has taken the tally to 54 goals in the first week of the CL. The winners on Tuesday included Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich & PSG. Let's first look at the tables after Week 1 and then review last night's results.


Fixture 9


Scorer(s)
Son 4'
Yarmolenko 11'
Kane 15', 60'

Red Card(s)

Vertonghen 90+2'


The biggest clash of the European giants was played in Group H at one of the best stadiums in England, 'Wembley' where English club Tottenham Hotspur beat German club Borussia Dortmund in a 3-1 thrilling encounter.

The first half was just magical with three quite outstanding goals. Son Heung-min scored the first goal on the night after getting a one-V-one situation against the keeper, scoring from an impossible angle to give Tottenham the lead.



Tottenham's lead lasted for just 7 minutes after a Dortmund counter attack saw the ball reach Andrey Yarmolenko who curled a brilliant effort from the Right wing to bring Dortmund back on level terms.




But Harry Kane had the final say in the game, scoring just 4 minutes after, another beautiful effort from an unreal angle past the keeper. He handed Spurs a 2 goal advantage on the hour mark scoring from the centre.

Jan Vertonghen received a late second yellow card who will now miss their second CL fixture. This victory keeps Tottenham firm in control on 3 points in 2nd place in Group D.


Fixture 10


Scorer(s)
Ronaldo 12', 51' (P)
Ramos 61'

Defending Champions Real Madrid began their title defense registering their 11th straight opening day victory in 11 CL seasons as they overcame APOEL 3-0.


The returning Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first CL goal of the season who met Gareth Bale's cross sliding the ball from the far post handing the Champions the lead. He got his and Real's second of the night via a penalty.


Sergio Ramos opened his account by scoring the best goal on the night, a superb overhead kick to ensure Real Madrid ended the game top of Group H. 


Fixture 11


Scorer(s)
Ben Yedder 5'
Firmino 21'
Salah 37'
Correa 72'

Red Card(s)
Joe Gomez 90+4'


Liverpool made a return to the CL Group Stages after registering a 2-2 draw against Spanish side Sevilla. This was a repeat of the 2015/16 Europa League final which Sevilla won 3-1.

The Away side took an early lead after Wissam Ben Yedder scored a close range effort into the bottom right side corner.

With Sevilla's lead lasting for just 16 minutes, Liverpool found their equalizer through Roberto Firmino scoring a central shot on goal. Mohamed Salah added Liverpool's second after scoring from outside the box into the top right corner. Later, in the 42nd minute Firmino missed a crucial penalty to hand Liverpool a 2 goal lead.


But Sevilla fought back and found the breakthrough in the 72nd minute after Joaquin Correa fired a shot into the top right corner. Joe Gomez saw a late red card in stoppage after a bad foul.

Sevilla were the much happier side on the night after walking with a crucial away point. Liverpool put in a disappointing defensive performance sitting 2nd in Group E.



Fixture 12


Scorer(s)
Stones 2', 63'
Aguero 10'
Jesus 25'



Manchester City opened their Champions League campaign by equaling their highest ever CL win after a dominant 0-4 display at Feyenoord. This victory also marked Man City's first away win in their last 7 Away fixtures.

John Stones was the star on the night scoring 2 headed goals, one in each half; first via David Silva's cross & the other via Kevin De Bruyne's cross in the 63rd minute.


Sergio Aguero & Gabriel Jesus were also on the score sheet in the first half after the pair scored two poacher goals.

With an emphatic display at Feyenoord, City lead Group F on 3 points and a better goal difference & are seriously looking favorites for the CL this season.

Fixture 13


Scorer(s)
Talisca 13'
D. Tosic (OG) 21'
Cenk Tosun 28'
Babel 86'



Besiktas got their CL campaign running in fantastic fashion after they overcame Porto 1-3 to move top in Group G.

Brazilian Anderson Talisca who is really making a name for himself in Turkey handed Besiktas the lead after scoring a very good close range header.


FC Porto were handed a leveler in the 21st minute after Dusko Tosic scored an own goal.

But just 7 minutes later, Besiktas restored their lead after Cenk Tosun scored from outside the box. With a dominant defensive display thereon, Ryan Babel scored Besiktas' 3rd to round off a fine performance. 

Fixture 14


Scorer(s)
Taison 15'
Ferreyra 58'
Milik (P) 72'



Ukranian side Shakhtar Donetsk earned a memorable opening day victory at home to Italian side Napoli, beating them 2-1 to go joint top on points with Man City in Group F

The hosts took the lead in the 15th minute after Taison saw his grounded shot beat Pepe Reina on his left hand corner. They doubled their lead in the 2nd half after Facundo Ferreyra headed home powerfully high into the centre.


Napoli were handed a penalty in the 72nd minute which was converted by Arkadiusz Milik but that wasn't enough as Napoli failed to earn even a single point. The win for Shakhtar is a boost for their qualification ambitions to the Round of 16.

Fixture 15


Scorer(s)
Forsberg 33'
Tielemans 34'

German side RB Leipzig were handed a valuable 1-1 draw against French Champions AS Monaco in their debut CL campaign.

Emil Forsberg scored RB Leipzig's first ever CL goal after firing a brilliant near-post drive.


Leipzig's lead lasted for just 45 seconds as Youri Tielemans managed to score a close range central effort to bring Monaco back on level terms.

This point has opened the race for the runners up spot in Group G.

Fixture 16


Scorer(s)
Samedov 59'
Bohar 85'

Maribor have now taken their unbeaten home record to eight games after they scored a late goal in their 1-1 draw against Spartak Moskva. This also marked Spartak's first ever point in the CL since their 2012/13 campaign.

With both sides having plenty of chances throughout the game, the away side got the lead in the 2nd half as substitute Aleksandr Samedov scored a high central shot for the lead.


But, Maribor found a way back to find an equalizer after Damjan Bohar curled a shot into the top right corner.

Both the teams, along with Liverpool & Sevilla are all locked on 1 point in Group E.

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