Wednesday’s games in gameweek two of the Champions League produced the usual drama and excitement of the competition. Here is what happened in the big European clashes on Wednesday night:
Suarez doubled downs Inter
As we predicted, Barcelona recorded a victory in a high-scoring encounter against Inter, as the Catalan giants recorded a 2-1 win over the Nerazzurri courtesy of a brilliant second-half brace from Luis Suarez.
Inter took the lead after just two minutes. An attempted clearance by the Barcelona defence rebounded off Alexis Sanchez into the path of Argentinian striker Lautaro Martinez who took a touch before firing a low effort beyond the despairing dive of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
Inter continued to look the more dangerous of the two sides and had other chances to take the lead, with Sanchez heading wide of goal when well positioned. Martinez also saw a header superbly saved by Ter Stegen down to his right.
The home side failed to really get going in the first half in an attacking sense. However, looked far more dangerous at the start of the second period. The introduction of Artur Vidal seemed to add some dynamism to the home attack.
The Chilean played a key role in the equaliser on 58 minutes. The 32-year-old received the ball on the edge of the area from Lionel Messi. He then crossed to Suarez on the other side of the box and the Uruguayan smashed home an exquisite volley that left the Inter ‘keeper with no chance.
Ernesto Valverde’s team started to turn up the heat and eventually found the winner with just six minutes left on the clock. Messi dribbled past a few players before finding Suarez, whose brilliant touch deceive compatriot Diego Godin, the striker then slotted home in a clinical manner.
There was no way back for Inter from that point. The win leaves Barcelona second in the group, behind leaders Dortmund on goal difference. The Catalan giants are still big favourites to win the group. Inter are bottom of the group.
Salzburg give Liverpool a fright at Anfield
Liverpool v Salzburg was always going to be an entertaining affair and it certainly delivered on its promise of goals and drama. Eventually, Jurgen Klopp’s side emerged with a 4-3 victory.
Liverpool took the lead on nine minutes, as Sadio Mane playing against one of his former clubs, played a nice one-two with Roberto Firmino before firing home. The Reds doubled their lead on 25 minutes, as a superb team move resulted in left-back Andy Robertson producing a striker like finish from inside the area. The home side took a three-goal lead on 36 minutes, as Mohamed Salah tapped home after Stankovic parried a Firmino header.
At that point, it looked like game over. However, the visitors came storming back into the game. Forward Hee-Chan Hwang cut inside Virgil van Dijk before smashing an effort from Adrian on 39 minutes.
Early in the second half, Salzburg reduced the arrears once again, as Takumi Minamino’s powerful volley beat Adrian. Incredibly, the visitors drew level on the hour-mark, as teenage striking sensation Erling Braut Haland scored from close-range from a Minamino cross. The goal was the youngster’s fourth in the Champions League this season and his 18th of an unbelievable season so far.
Liverpool regained the lead on 69 minutes, as Salah finished after a good flick from Firmino. There was a sense of relief as the European champions picked up their first win in Group E. Both Liverpool and Salzburg are on three points in the group table with Napoli topping the group with four points.
The Reds return to Premier League action on Saturday, as they host Leicester at Anfield. Salzburg continued their seemingly relentless run to the Bundesliga title when they face Rheindorf Altach on Saturday.
Wednesday’s other gameweek two Champions League results
Genk 0-0 Napoli
Slavia Prague 0-2 Dortmund
Lille 1-2 Chelsea
RB Leipzig 0-2 Lyon
Valencia 0-3 Ajax
Zenit 3-1 Benfica
Who produced the result of the night in Wednesday’s Champions League games?
