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Champions League: PHOTOS: PSG advance to knock-outs; Napoli draw at Besiktas

November 02, 2016

IMAGE: PSG's Angel Di Maria celebrates scoring his team's first goal with team mate Layvin Kurzawa during their UEFA Champions League Group A match between against Fussball Club Basel 1893 at Parc des Princes in Paris on Tuesday. Photograph: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Thomas Meunier volleyed a spectacular last-minute goal to give Paris St Germain a 2-1 win at FC Basel, which took them into the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday.

PSG had taken the lead with a Blaise Matuidi goal two minutes before halftime but Basel rattled the Ligue 1 champions when Luca Zuffi equalised out of the blue in the 76th minute.

In a dramatic finale the Swiss champions had midfielder Serey Die sent off for a second yellow card following a foul on Marco Verratti and could have snatched a win seconds before Meunier's strike.

PSG, quarter-finalists last season, have 10 points from four games in Group A alongside Arsenal, who also qualified. Basel have one point and were eliminated alongside Ludogorets.

IMAGE: Basel's Andraz Sporar battles for the ball with PSG's Edinson Cavani and Lucas Moura. Photograph: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

PSG dominated the first half and went ahead when Meunier drove a fierce shot at goal which Matuidi flicked into the net from close range.

The visitors had enough chances to settle the game, but instead Zuffi collected a throw in around 30 metres out and launched a looping effort towards goal which flew over a startled Alphonse Areola and into the net.

Basel went agonisingly close to scoring a second when a free kick flew across the PSG goal and found Marc Janko unmarked at the far post, but he failed to make proper contact.

Seconds later, a PSG cross found Meunier who, having missed two easier chances, met the ball with a thumping volley which swerved past Tomas Vaclik and into the top corner.

Besiktas stay undefeated even as Napoli strike late equaliser

IMAGE: Besiktas' Ricardo Quaresma celebrates his goal against Napoli on Tuesday. Photograph: Besiktas/Twitter

A stunning strike from Marek Hamsik cancelled out Ricardo Quaresma's penalty as Napoli forced a 1-1 draw at Besiktas on Tuesday to stay on course for the last 16 of the Champions League.

Portugal winger Quaresma crashed the ball in from the spot in the 78th minute after Nikola Maksimovic handled. Visiting captain Hamsik then levelled four minutes later with a rasping drive from outside the area.

Napoli dominated possession and could have avenged their 3-2 defeat by Besiktas two weeks ago but Lorenzo Insigne and substitute Dries Mertens fluffed chances in injury time.

The Italians have seven points from four games in Group B, level with Benfica who beat Dynamo Kiev 1-0.

Besiktas are in third place on six points while Kiev are bottom with one.

Napoli goalkeeper Reina felt his side deserved more than a draw.

"There was only one team on the pitch from start to finish," Reina said.

"After conceding the goal we showed so much grit to fight back.

"This is the Napoli we all want to see. We allowed Besiktas very little and playing in Istanbul in the Champions League, that's not easy."

IMAGE: Napoli's Marek Hamsik celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Besiktas. Photograph: Osman Orsal/Reuters

Napoli have looked lightweight up front in recent weeks without injured top scorer Arkadiusz Milik and their lack of a clinical finisher was underlined when Manolo Gabbiadini failed to beat goalkeeper Fabri twice from close range.

Besiktas were gifted a glaring chance when Kalidou Koulibaly's poor clearance set up Atiba Hutchinson but the Canadian hit the post.

Bolstered by the addition of Mertens from the bench, Napoli stepped it up in the second half.

The Turks, however, took the lead when Vincent Aboubakar's shot was blocked by Maksimovic's hand and referee Mark Clattenburg pointed to the spot.

Quaresma thumped the ball beyond Reina's reach to delight the boisterous home supporters.

Hamsik, though, quickly silenced them with an equally powerful effort at the other end.

They host Dynamo on Nov. 23 before travelling to Benfica.

Besiktas next entertain Benfica on November 23.

Salvio penalty hands Benfica victory over Kiev

IMAGE: Benfica's Eduardo Salvio in action against Dynamo Kyiv's Yevhen Khacheridi during their Champions League Group B match at Luz stadium, Lisbon, on Tuesday. Photograph: Rafael Marchante/Reuters

Benfica's Eduardo Salvio converted a penalty and Dynamo Kiev missed one as the Portuguese side won 1-0 on Tuesday to go level on points with Napoli at the top of their Champions League group.

Salvio put Benfica ahead in first-half stoppage time when he scored from the spot, as he did in their 2-0 win away to the same opponents two weeks ago, after Luisao had been hauled down by Domagoj Vida when he tried to connect with a free kick.

The goal was just reward for Benfica after they had created several clear chances in the first half.

Goncalo Guedes nearly extended Benfica's lead early in the second half when he rattled the crossbar, but the Eagles appeared to blow their chance when goalkeeper Ederson rashly upended Derlis Gonzalez in the 67th minute.

Ederson, however, atoned for his error by diving to his right to deny his fellow Brazilian Junior Moraes from the spot.

Benfica have seven points from four games in Group B alongside Napoli and one ahead of Besiktas while Dynamo have one.

Celtic rally to hold Mönchengladbach after Dembélé strike

IMAGE: Celtic's Moussa Dembele celebrates on scoring the equaliser against Monchengladbach on Tuesday. Photograph: Celtic FC/Twitter

A Moussa Dembélé penalty 14 minutes from time earned Celtic a Group C point at Mönchengladbach, who had taken the lead thanks to Lars Stindl's volley.

In Germany, Celtic kept their hopes of at least snatching third place and a Europa League spot alive as they came from behind to draw 1-1.

Lars Stindl put the hosts ahead in the first half but Moussa Dembele levelled from the spot on 76 minutes with a penalty after he had been fouled by Julian Korb, who was sent off.

 

Source: REUTERS
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