It was a high-scoring Champions league group stage round last night with a total 35 goals scored from all the matches, 2nd highest ever in a day and to everyone’s amazement Barcelona scored only one of them and lost the match to Scottish giants Celtic. In other matches, English sides Manchester United and Chelsea win it late while Juventus and Bayern ran riot over their opponents.
Group E
Juventus 4-0 FC Nordsjælland
After a serious of draws, the Italian giants register their first win in the champions league this season and they managed to do it in style, storming past Nordsjælland in a 4-0 victory. Claudio Marchisio struck early in the first half which led to an all out attack from the Old lady who managed to net in two more goals before half time thanks to Arturo Vidal and Sebastian Giovinco. A late strike from Fabio Quagliarella ended Nordsjælland’s resistance in the second half and the final whistle was eagerly waited by the travelling team
Chelsea 3-2 Shakhtar
After a disappointing run of games in the premier league, Chelsea hosted Shakhtar in a hope of getting a result out of the game. It was an entertaining match from the very first kick as Torres scored off a mistake from Shakhtar goalkeeper to give the Blues an early advantage. Having beaten Chelsea on their home turf, Shakhtar travelled to Stamford bridge with a high spirit and did just as they planned. The Ukrainian side managed to have long spells of possession and had 6 shots on target from a total 10 shots on goal.
Brazilian play-maker Willian equalized twice for the travelling side, which made the game 2-2 and an entertaining second half followed. Victor Moses was the man for the Blues as the pulled of a Drogba style winner late in the injury time to give 3 vital points to Chelsea. The Blues are now alongside Shakhtar on seven points, a step closer to qualification with two games to play – at home to Nordsjaelland and away to Juventus
Group F
Bayern Munich 6-1 Lille
Bayern Munich ran riot over Lille in their Champions League Group F match, inspired by a 15 – minute hattrick from Claudio Pizarro – 3rd fastest in the history of the Champions league. Bastian Schweinsteiger gave an early lead to the home side from a peach of a free kick. Robben scored from another spot kick, a deflected goal in between Pizarro’s hattrick to make it 5-0 at the half time.
Kalou scored a consolation goal for the French side but was followed by another Bayern goal and this time it was Tony Kross with a strike. And the match ended as 6-1, which eliminated the French side who lost all the 4 games they have played this season. Bayern are now on top of Group F taking a big step towards the round of 16.
Group H
Sporting Braga 1-3 Manchester United
Manchester United travelled to Portugal looking to seal Group H qualification in Champions league and they exactly managed to do so, inspired by the Dutch man Robin Van Persie. The attacking trip of Van Persie, Rooney and Hernandez managed get on the score sheet to put United on top of Group H. United looked second best for most part of the match and Braga would have felt injustice looking at the scoreline after 90 minutes.
They took the lead through Alan early in the second half but a stunning goal from Robin Van Persie levelled things, Rooney and Hernandez made sure United get all three points.
