The Champions League’s first phase is drawing to a close but there is still plenty to play for across the continent.
England’s top two were in action on Wednesday and both on the hunt for three big points to solidify their places towards the top eight.
Arsenal overcame Monaco, beating them 1-0 at the Emirates, while Manchester City lost again, this time at the hands of Juventus.
The other headline act of the night was in Germany as Borussia Dortmund took on Barcelona.
Both teams sit within the top eight places having lost one game, but it was all to play for in front of BVB’s famous Yellow Wall.
Read on to see how those European giants, as well as the other teams in action, got on.
Borussia Dortmund 2-3 Barcelona
⭐️⭐️⭐️ FULL TIME! ⭐️⭐️⭐️#BVBBarça | @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/Exn2JGwRw5
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 11, 2024
Dortmund and Barcelona played out a thriller, with the visitors coming out on top.
Barca took the lead through Raphinha early in the second half, before Serhou Guirassy hit back a few minutes later.
Ferran Torres’ goal was then cancelled out by Guirassy again but the Spaniard netted an 85th-minute winner for Hansi Flick’s men.
Atletico Madrid 3-1 Slovan Bratislava
Atletico Madrid continued their charge towards the top eight with a win against Slovan Bratislava.
The Spanish side went two goals ahead through strikes from Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann before David Strelec pulled one back from the penalty spot.
But a second goal from Griezmann ensured Diego Simeone’s side picked up all three points.
Lille 3-2 Sturm Graz
Lille followed in the footsteps of Atletico by scoring three and winning their match.
The French side beat Sturm Graz 3-2 thanks to goals from Osame Sahraoui, Mitchel Bakker and Hakon Arnar Haraldsson.
Otar Kiteishvili and Mika Biereth got on the scoresheet for the visitors but it was not enough for them to come away with any points.
AC Milan 2-1 Red Star Belgrade
A late, late winner and we take all 3 points! 🤩#ACMFKCZ #UCL #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/LRxKkOJYDS
— AC Milan (@acmilan) December 11, 2024
AC Milan moved within touching distance of the top eight in the Champions League by beating Red Star Belgrade.
Rafael Leao opened the scoring in the 42nd minute before the Italian side were pegged back by Nemanja Radonjic.
But Tammy Abraham came to the rescue in the 87th minute to earn the Rossoneri all three points.
Benfica 0-0 Bologna
Benfica and Bologna played out a goalless draw in Portugal.
The hosts managed 15 shots but only manufactured two big chances.
Bologna had an xG of 0.24, while Benfica had 1.23.
Feyenoord 4-2 Sparta Prague
Enjoyed the ride. 🙂↕#feyacs • #UCL pic.twitter.com/GLu6MiG6qM
— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) December 11, 2024
Feyenoord scored four to beat Sparta Prague at home.
There were four different goalscorers for the Dutch side, with three of their goals coming in the first half.
Sparta Prague tried to rally, scoring either side of half-time but it was not enough to dent a hungry Feyenoord side.
VfB Stuttgart 5-1 Young Boys
German side Stuttgart made easy work of Young Boys.
Five goals from five different scorers put the game to bed early in the second half, despite the hosts going 1-0 down six minutes in.
An equaliser in the 25th minute followed by four second-half goals marked a dominant performance from the Bundesliga club.
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