Liverpool leaves it late against Ajax

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool’s Joel Matip headed in an 89thminute winner as last season’s runnerup left it late to beat Ajax Amsterdam 21 in a Champions League Group A match at Anfield yesterday.

Juergen Klopp’s side had lost its opening game in the group 41 at Napoli and was heading for another disappointing result until the centre back rose to meet a corner which appeared to be cleared off the line, but the assistant referee raised his flag to indicate a goal.

Mohamed Salah fired the home side ahead in the 17th minute after being picked out by Diogo Jota. But the lead lasted just 10 minutes before Ajax pulled level with a stunning strike from Mohammed Kudus. Tottenham Hotspur suffered its first defeat of the season as Sporting snatched a 20 home win over Antonio Conte’s side with goals in added time from substitutes Paulinho and Arthur Gomes.

Spurs created the better chances in an open and entertaining match but Sporting striker Paulinho broke the deadlock in the 90th minute with a glancing header from a corner.

Brazilian forward Gomes made sure of the victory with a superb strike in the second minute of added time, finishing from close range after a breathtaking run into the box.

SoccerBayern beat Barcelona 20 to spoil Lewandowski’s return to Munich

Bayern Munich scored twice in four minutes against the run of play through Lucas Hernandez and Leroy Sane to beat Barcelona 20 in their group C match.

It was an unhappy return to Munich for Barca striker Robert Lewandowski, who left the Bavarians in the summer after eight years, with the Germans now top of their group on six points from two matches.

Bayer Leverkusen left it late but pulled off a 20 win at home to Atletico Madrid to kickstart its campaign.Club Brugge pulled off a shock 40 win at FC Porto to win a second successive Champions League Group B game and go top of the standings. — Reuters