Harvey Elliott’s Late Goal Seals Liverpool’s Win Over PSG \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Harvey Elliott scored just seconds after coming on as a substitute, securing Liverpool a crucial 1-0 victory over PSG in the Champions League Round of 16. Bayern Munich took a big step toward the quarterfinals with a commanding 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen. Elsewhere, Lautaro Martínez became Inter Milan’s all-time top scorer in the competition, while Barcelona edged past Benfica despite playing with 10 men.
Champions League Round of 16 Quick Looks
- Harvey Elliott’s Instant Impact: The Liverpool youngster netted within a minute of coming on, handing his team a crucial 1-0 first-leg victory over PSG.
- Bayern’s Dominant Win: Harry Kane scored twice as Bayern Munich comfortably defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0.
- Martínez’s Record-Breaking Goal: The Argentine striker surpassed Inter’s all-time Champions League scoring record in their 2-0 win over Feyenoord.
- Barcelona Overcomes Adversity: Despite an early red card, Raphinha’s goal secured a 1-0 win over Benfica.
Deep Look
Elliott’s Heroics Give Liverpool the Edge Over PSG
Liverpool secured a dramatic 1-0 victory at Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie, thanks to an unforgettable moment from substitute Harvey Elliott. The Premier League leaders, who have been in dominant form domestically, faced a relentless PSG attack at the Parc des Princes but stood firm before snatching a late winner.
From the first whistle, PSG looked determined to exploit their home advantage, with Kylian Mbappé leading the charge alongside Ousmane Dembélé and Vitinha. The French champions repeatedly tested Liverpool’s defense, forcing goalkeeper Alisson Becker into several crucial saves. Liverpool’s backline, anchored by Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, managed to withstand the pressure despite some nervy moments.
With the game seemingly heading toward a goalless draw, Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp made a bold move, substituting Mohamed Salah for 20-year-old Harvey Elliott in the 86th minute. Within seconds, Elliott made his mark, slotting home a low-driven shot with his very first touch after a well-worked build-up play. The goal silenced the Parisian crowd and gave Liverpool a valuable lead to take into the second leg at Anfield.
PSG will feel hard done by, considering their attacking dominance, but the lack of clinical finishing proved costly. With the return fixture still to come, Mbappé and company will need to find a way to break down Liverpool’s disciplined defense if they are to overturn the deficit.
Bayern Munich Crushes Leverkusen to Move Closer to the Quarterfinals
Bayern Munich took a massive step toward the Champions League quarterfinals with a resounding 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in their first-leg encounter. The Bavarians were in control from start to finish, capitalizing on Leverkusen’s mistakes while putting on a commanding display of attacking football.
Harry Kane, who had been on a four-game goal drought, rediscovered his scoring touch in emphatic fashion. The England captain opened the scoring in the first half with a clinical finish after a pinpoint cross from Leroy Sané. His second goal came from the penalty spot, marking his 30th consecutive successful spot kick. Kane’s ability to deliver in crucial moments underlined why Bayern invested heavily in him last summer.
Jamal Musiala also got in on the action, punishing a costly mistake from Leverkusen’s goalkeeper, Matej Kovar. The young German midfielder intercepted a misplaced pass, dribbled past the last defender, and calmly slotted the ball into the net.
Leverkusen’s night went from bad to worse when Nordi Mukiele was shown a red card in the 62nd minute, leaving them with 10 men and making an already difficult task nearly impossible. Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen’s coach and former Bayern player, has enjoyed a strong domestic campaign, but his team will need a remarkable comeback in the second leg to keep their Champions League dreams alive.
Bayern’s win was particularly significant as it marked their first victory over a Leverkusen team coached by Alonso in seven attempts. The German giants now have one foot in the quarterfinals, but they will be wary of complacency heading into the return leg.
Martínez Makes History as Inter Milan Triumphs Over Feyenoord
Inter Milan secured a commanding 2-0 away victory over Feyenoord, with Lautaro Martínez etching his name into club history by becoming their all-time leading scorer in the Champions League. The Argentine forward’s 18th goal in the competition saw him surpass Sandro Mazzola, a legendary figure in Inter’s history.
The match started with high intensity, as Feyenoord looked to capitalize on their home support. However, Inter took the lead in the 38th minute through Marcus Thuram, who finished off a well-executed counterattack with a composed strike past the goalkeeper.
Martínez doubled Inter’s advantage early in the second half, firing a powerful shot into the top corner to further cement his legacy. His goal was particularly impressive given the caliber of strikers who have previously played for Inter, including Ronaldo Nazário, Christian Vieri, and Zlatan Ibrahimović.
Inter had the opportunity to extend their lead further when they were awarded a penalty in the 65th minute, but Piotr Zielinski’s effort was denied by Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther. Despite the missed chance, Inter’s defense held firm, ensuring they take a significant advantage into the second leg at the San Siro.
With Martínez in top form, Inter will feel confident about progressing to the next round, but Feyenoord will be hoping for a turnaround in the return fixture.
Barcelona Overcomes Benfica Despite Early Red Card
Barcelona showed resilience and determination as they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Benfica, despite playing with 10 men for most of the match. The Spanish giants, who have been inconsistent in European competitions in recent years, found themselves in a difficult situation early on when young defender Pau Cubarsí was sent off in the 22nd minute.
With a numerical disadvantage, Barcelona had to adopt a more defensive approach, relying on quick transitions and counterattacks. Benfica sensed an opportunity and began applying pressure, but they were unable to find a breakthrough.
In the 61st minute, Brazilian forward Raphinha stepped up once again, continuing his impressive form against Benfica. Having already scored twice in a dramatic 5-4 win over them in the group stage, he punished the Portuguese side once more. After intercepting a poor pass from António Silva outside the penalty area, Raphinha curled a beautiful left-footed shot into the far corner to give Barcelona the lead.
Benfica pushed forward in search of an equalizer, but Barcelona’s defensive organization, led by veteran players like João Cancelo and Ronald Araújo, ensured they held onto their slim advantage.
Xavi’s side now takes a crucial lead into the second leg, but Benfica will be confident that they can turn things around at Camp Nou, especially if Barcelona suffers from any defensive lapses.
Looking Ahead: Can the Trailing Teams Mount a Comeback?
With the first legs concluded, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Barcelona have all gained crucial advantages, but their opponents still have everything to play for.
- PSG Needs a Spark at Anfield: Kylian Mbappé and company will have to be at their very best to break down Liverpool’s resolute defense.
- Leverkusen’s Uphill Battle: Bayern Munich’s three-goal advantage makes them overwhelming favorites, but Xabi Alonso’s side will be desperate to stage an unlikely comeback.
- Feyenoord Faces a Tall Task: Inter’s 2-0 lead gives them control, but a goal for the Dutch side in Milan could change the dynamics.
- Benfica’s Chance for Revenge: Barcelona has the edge, but playing with 10 men in the first leg means the second match could be a different story.
With the return legs looming, the Champions League knockout stage continues to deliver drama, surprises, and unforgettable moments.
Harvey Elliott’s Late Harvey Elliott’s Late Harvey Elliott’s Late
You must Register or Login to post a comment.