It was better not to leave his seat before the end, Wednesday, October 26. At Tottenham, and even more at Atlético de Madrid, the last moments offered a few completely crazy minutes. But who did not smile at the Spanish clubs after the eliminations of Colchoneros but especially FC Barcelona. Also to remember, the qualification of Liverpool with a Mohamed Salah in the annals of European football.
Eliminated then humiliated: nightmare evening for Barça
FC Barcelona will not go further in C1 this season, despite its many summer investments. The victory of Inter Milan, at the start of the evening on Wednesday October 26, condemned the Blaugrana to third place in Group C, synonymous with elimination. And the evening did not end better, with a stinging loss at home, inflicted by Bayern Munich (0-3). Their transfer to the Europa League, like last season (elimination in the quarter-finals by Frankfurt), is far too little consolation for a club which was aiming for a significant return to the main European competition.
2 – #FCBarcelona has been eliminated from UEFA Champions League #UCL group stage in back-to-back seasons, something that had not happened since the 1997-98 and 1998-99 camps under Louis Van Gaal. Disappointment. pic.twitter.com/GkcqNp2Ncq
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 26, 2022
More in control of its destiny, Barça could only helplessly watch the Interistes walk against Vikotria Plzen (4-0) at Giuseppe-Meazza. The Nerazzurri quickly put an end to the suspense with two goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan (35th) and Edin Dzeko (42nd) before halftime. The latter even offered himself a double after the break (66th) and Romelu Lukaku (87th) completed the work of the Interists. In the end, everything was decided on the double confrontation with Barcelona, Inter winning the first leg (1-0) before going for a draw (3-3) at Camp Nou, on October 12, in a match completely mad and they have long led.
However, the Milanese remain behind Bayern Munich, who locked their first place against the Barcelonians. The Bavarians were ruthless against a wounded beast, in agony even defensively. Sadio Mané, Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting and Benjamin Pavard, in the last moments, drove the point home in front of a dejected public who chanted the name of his former glory Lionel Messi several times. In the absence of great moments, there remains at least nostalgia in Catalonia.
Atlético also takes the door after a crazy suspense
Also in bad shape, Atlético de Madrid did not come out any better. Antoine Griezmann’s teammates were held in check by Leverkusen (2-2) and saw the first two qualifying places definitely go away, in favor of Bruges and FC Porto, winner in Belgium on Wednesday (0-4). Madrid believed in it until the end, with a penalty awarded at the last minute of added time, but missed by former Monegasque Yannick Ferreira Carrasco. Koke had followed but sent his head over the bar, just before Carrasco countered the Colchoneros’ last attempt on target.
Atlético will have to quickly forget these last incredible moments and secure their place in the Europa League on the last day, in Porto.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeimDJwZVeM
Liverpool qualified, Salah evening record holder
Mohamed Salah confirms his place in the history books of European football. His goal, that of the opener on the field of Ajax Amsterdam, made him the best African scorer in the history of the European Cups, overtaking Didier Drogba and his 50 achievements. In the wake of its Egyptian star, Liverpool validated its place in the round of 16, winning easily (0-3) in the Netherlands.
Mohamed Salah (51 goals) becomes the top African scorer in European Cup history ahead of Didier Drogba (50). #UCL pic.twitter.com/lhBGz24HE2
— PokerStars Sports FR (@PSSportsFR) October 26, 2022
A goal canceled in extremis and everything remains to be done in the OM group
Marseille’s defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt is not the only match to have revived Group D. Led for a time by Sporting, Tottenham believed for a few minutes to have snatched victory, thanks to Harry Kane on the last ball of the match . But after long minutes of verification, the video referee canceled the realization of the English center forward for an offside.
The final result, 1-1, enraged Spurs technician Antonio Conte, who was sent off. Above all, it allows the four teams to still believe in their destiny before the last day. It will be necessary to win to qualify for the eighth.