PSG shoots down Bayern
MORE routs, stunning losses and late drama made for standout Champions League football yesterday.
Paris Saint-Germain tore apart five-time European champion Bayern Munich, with goals from bickering forwards Edinson Cavani and Neymar in a 3-0 win that was the night’s defining performance.
Another four-goal display from Manchester United seemed almost routine as Jose Mourinho’s team won 4-1 at CSKA Moscow.
Teams swept aside by Man United and PSG two weeks ago bounced back. Basel hit Benfica with counter attacks in a shock 5-0 victory, and Celtic won 3-0 at Anderlecht.
The drama was at Atletico Madrid’s new stadium where Chelsea trailed at halftime and struck with the last kick to clinch a 2-1 victory. Group D rivals Barcelona and Juventus delivered expected victories.
Basel was brushed aside 3-0 at Old Trafford, but was rewarded with a 5-0 win over Benfica for giving a first Champions League start to Dimitri Oberlin, a Cameroon-born forward on loan from Salzburg. On his 20th birthday, Oberlin used his pace and directness to score two, set up Michael Lang for the second-minute opener and earn a penalty that Ricky van Wolfswinkel scored.
Paris Saint-Germain’s expensive forward line was good value at the Parc des Princes, giving Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti a miserable return to the club he led to a French title.
In the second minute, Neymar created the chance for Brazil teammate Dani Alves to open the scoring. Cavani was set up by Kylian Mbappe to make it 2-0 before halftime. Neymar scored in the 63rd after Bayern failed to deal with Mbappe’s threat.
For PSG, two wins, eight goals scored and none conceded means a clear lead in the group.
Hammered 5-0 at home by PSG, Celtic dished out a 3-0 home loss to struggling Anderlecht.
The Scottish champion had goals from Leigh Griffiths, Scott Sinclair, and an own-goal by Kara Mbodji, and next goes to Bayern.
Chelsea took control of Group C with an unlikely 2-1 victory in the first Champions League game at Atletico’s Metropolitano stadium, which will host the final next season.