The clash between Paris St-Germain and Real Madrid, two European heavyweights, was expected to be a thrilling encounter but the tie failed to live up to its expectations, as the sides played out a drab 0-0 draw. Kevin De Bruyne’s excellent run of form continued, as the Belgian scored a late goal to secure all three points against Sevilla. Anthony Martial scored a second-half equaliser in freezing Russian conditions, as United labored to win a point at Moscow.
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It was never a doubt that PSG and Real Madrid would be the teams to proceed through to the knockout stages from Group A but the battle to secure top spot is still open, as both sides will have to be content with a point apiece following a draw at the Parc des Princes. Rafa Benitez had several first-team players, including the likes of Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, out through injury, as Cristiano Ronaldo started as the lone striker for Real. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani were always a threat up-front but failed to get things going, as a full-strength Real Madrid defence put in a disciplined display, Keylor Navas keeping his ninth clean sheet in eleven games. Real squandered a couple of glorious chances in the first-half, one when Isco’s shot from close-range was kept out by Kevin Trapp’s legs and the second when Ronaldo failed to make proper contact from Marcelo’s cross. Luka Modric came off the bench to play the final 20 minutes, after suffering a knock on international duty, which is definitely a welcome sight for the Madrid faithful. Despite the draw, Real are at the summit of the group, closely trailed by PSG, who have an inferior goal difference and the two capital clubs are favourites to qualify for the Round of 16.
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Manchester City scored a late winner for the second successive European game, as Kevin De Bruyne’s 91st minute effort won all three points for Manuel Pellegrini’s men. Sevilla took the well-deserved lead in the 30th minute when Alex Vitolo’s cross was sent past the outstretched arms of Joe Hart by Yevhen Konoplyanka. 6 minutes later, Yaya Toure’s tremendous piece of skill at the edge of the box put Rahem Sterling clear on goal and although the Englishman had his shot saved, the ball fell to Wilfried Bony, whose shot went in off Adil Rami to restore parity. Sevilla constantly threatened the home side with their swift counter-attacks, as City were more often than not caught wide open at the back. In added time Yaya Toure turned provider again, when he embarked on a run from his own half and slipped a ball to De Bruyne on the right, who took a few touches before cutting in to his left, before almost nonchalantly rifling a shot into the far post to secure a crucial yet arguably undeserving win against their Spanish rivals and move to 2nd spot in Group D.
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Manchester United travelled to Moscow for a tricky fixture against Russian outfit CSKA Moscow, as the Red Devils only managed to earn a point after a laborious display. In the 15th minute CSKA were awarded a penalty, when Anthony Martial clumsily handled the ball in the 18 yard-box. Roman Eremenko stepped up to take the subsequent penalty but had his effort brilliantly parried on to the crossbar by David De Gea, deflecting the ball back into open play off his legs only for Seydou Doumbia to pounce on the loose ball and calmly put the ball into the back of the net. The visitors had a greater share of the possession with no real threat to show for it throughout the first-half. Martial made amends for his earlier error, when he finished off a well orchestrated United move with a powerful header into the far post off Antonio Valencia’s cross from the right flank. There was nothing noteworthy in the match, as United struggled to make a mark on the proceedings, especially Wayne Rooney, who had a game to forget in the wintery conditions. Despite the unimpressive draw, United came find solace in the fact that their next two European encounters are home games, as Louis van Gaal’s men entertain CSKA and bottom side PSV, who lost against Wolfsburg, at Old Trafford.
Image: Reuters
Other Results:
Group A
Malmo FF 1-0 Shakhtar Donetsk
Group B
VfL Wolfsburg 2-0 PSV Eindhoven
Group C
Atletico Madrid 4-0 FC Astana
Galatasaray 2-1 Benfica
Group D
Juventus 0-0 Borussia Monchengladbach
Tags: CSKA Moscow Kevin De Bruyne Man City Manchester United PSG Rafa Benitez Real Madrid Sevilla
