Shakhtar Donetsk and Besiktas on brink of last-16

Shakhtar Donetsk are all but guaranteed second place and progress to the last-16 of the Champions League after a 3-1 home win against Feyenoord.

Feyenoord took an early lead through Nicolai Jorgensen’s header, but Shakhtar hit back through Facundo Ferreyra and two goals from Marlos.

Spartak Moscow slipped to third after going down 2-1 at Sevilla, who are a point behind Liverpool with two games to play.

Shakhtar Donetsk’s Marlos scores their third goal against Feyenoord on Wednesday night

Goals from Clement Lenglet and Ever Banega put the Spaniards 2-0 up just before the hour mark before substitute Ze Luis pulled one back for Spartak. 

After being thrashed 5-1 by Spartak in Moscow, Sevilla rebounded with a solid performance at home.

‘This wasn’t about revenge, this was about the three points,’ Banega said. ‘We tried to control the game at all moments, but what was most impressive about our performance is that it demonstrated the personality of the squad. We never lost our cool and we reacted well.’

The result left the Spanish side with seven points from four matches, one point behind leader Liverpool and two in front of Spartak. 

Sevilla defender Clement Lenglet (left) scores the first goal against Spartak Moscow

Sevilla defender Clement Lenglet (left) scores the first goal against Spartak Moscow

‘We still have two games left but it was an important step toward guaranteeing a spot in the next round,’ said Lenglet, who scored his first Champions League goal. ‘We played at a very good level for most of the game.’ 

Besiktas must wait before they can guarantee themselves a knockout place for the first time, but remain top of Group G after drawing 1-1 with last season’s semi-finalists Monaco in Istanbul.

Rony Lopes’ curling effort for Monaco on the stroke of half-time was cancelled out by Cenk Tosun’s penalty after Jorge’s foul on Ricardo Quaresma.

And Porto delayed Besiktas’ qualification by beating RB Leipzig 3-1 at home to climb into second place in Group G.

Porto midfielder Hector Herrera celebrates after scoring the opening goal against RB Leipzig

Porto midfielder Hector Herrera celebrates after scoring the opening goal against RB Leipzig

Hector Herrera gave Porto a half-time lead and although Timo Werner hauled Leipzig level, goals from Danilo and Maxi Pereira secured them their second group win. 

Porto reached six points from four matches, two points more than Leipzig but four fewer than Besiktas – held 1-1 by Monaco in Turkey in the group’s other game Wednesday. Last-place Monaco has two points.

‘In the first game in Germany, Leipzig surprised us as they were a team we didn’t know very well,’ Herrera said. ‘Tonight we were better positioned and closed a lot of spaces.’

Leipzig had beaten Porto 3-2 two weeks ago.

‘It was a strong game from us,’ Porto coach Sergio Conceicao said. ‘We worked well as a unit and didn’t suffer as we did in Germany in the first meeting. We nullified our opponent’s strengths for large parts.’ 

 

 

 

 

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