UEFA champions league ;Manchester City, Athletico cruise through to the knockout stages

Manchester, 

Wednesday, 29 November, 2023. 

McCreadie Andias 

Holders Manchester City came from behind to beat RB Leipzig 3-2 at the Etihad to secure top spot in Champions League Group G on Tuesday night. 

RB Leipzig striker Lois Openda was the mastermind of the first half nightmare at the Etihad Stadium scoring twice within 40 minutes leaving the defending champions crawling into the half time break. 

It was Erling Haaland who broke the silence after scoring from a phil Foden Assist 10 minutes into the second half before Foden added an equalizer with just 20 minutes to go. 

Julian Alvarez who - a game-changing substitute would finally win city all the three points with a sublime finish to send city into the last 16 with 15 points by far. 

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid also booked their place in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) knockout stages with a 3-1 win at Feyenoord on Diego Simeone’s 100th game in charge in the competition.

Lutsharel Geertruida chested into his own net following confusion in the box from a corner giving the visitors an opener . 

Before the hour mark, Arne Slot’s side would be punished for lackluster finishing again. The visitors doubled their lead through a wonderful piece of improvisation from Mario Hermoso, who looped a volley over Bijlow from a tight angle.

However, just as it looked like Atletico were heading for their first clean sheet in seven UCL away matches, Feyenoord struck back with 13 minutes of normal time to play after Mats Wieffer headed home from a corner. 

Gimenez scored into his own net gifting the visitors a 3-1 away win which also send Athletico top of the group into the next stages. 

The result also ended Feyenoord's 16-match Unbeaten home streak in all competitions.

In other results, Barcelona won 2-1 against Porto keeping their round if 16 qualification hopes alive for the first time since Leo Messi Left while Kylian Mbappe secured PSG an important point in a last minute penalty that would force the hosts to a 1-1 draw in Paris, AC Milan were stunned 3-1 home by visiting Dortmund while Young Boys beat Belgrade 2-0.