Arsenal fight back to secure last-16 spot

WHEN BARCA WERE BEDAZZLED

SOFIA: Mesut Ozil scored a superb late winner as Arsenal hit back from two goals down to beat Ludogorets 3-2 on Tuesday and secure their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with two games to spare.

The North London club, who reached the competition’s knockout stages for a 17th time in a row, and Paris St Germain, who also qualified after a 2-1 away win over Basel, are joint top in Group A with 10 points from four matches. Ludogorets and Basel have one point each. Ahead of Sunday’s visit to local rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, Wenger decided to leave several key players including Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla, Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal in London.

ATLETICO ADVANCE MADRID: Antoine Griezmann scored a 93rd-minute winner as Atletico Madrid secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over FC Rostov.

Griezmann’s volleyed effort gave Atletico the lead just before the half-hour mark, but Rostov immediately replied through Sardar Azmoun.

Atletico struggled to create chances throughout, but got a break deep into added time when Griezmann fired home and the goal was allowed to stand despite Rostov’s furious protests for offside.

Victory keeps Atletico three points clear of Bayern Munich at the top of Group D.

The Germans also qualified for the knockout phase on Tuesday with a 2-1 win at PSV Eindhoven.