Liverpool cruise into last 16 with win over Atletico

Liverpool marched into the knockout stages of the Champions League with two games to spare after a convincing 2-0 victory over ten-man Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday night guaranteed them top spot in Group B.

Diogo Jota put Jurgen Klopp’s side ahead in the 13th minute, nodding home at the back post after a great cross from the right by Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Alexander-Arnold was again the provider for the second eight minutes later when his low ball into the box was brilliantly met by Sadio Mane who fired past Jan Oblak.

The Spanish side’s troubles intensified after Felipe was sent off in the 36th minute for a deliberate trip on Mane that earned him a harsh straight red.

Jota thought he had his second and Liverpool’s third, shortly after the interval, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.

Former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez also had a deflected effort which beat Alisson Becker ruled out by VAR for offside.

Elsewhere in Group B on Wednesday night, AC Milan earned their first point of the season with a 1-1 draw against Porto at the San Siro, but the result left the seven-time European champions on the brink of elimination.

Luis Diaz struck after six minutes to put the Portuguese side in front and they dominated the first half against an under-par Rossoneri side.

An own goal from Chancel Mbemba drew Milan level after the break and Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a goal ruled out for offside, as the Italians’ wait for a victory goes on.
Porto rose to second place with five points, four ahead of bottom side Milan.

Georginio Wijnaldum meanwhile scored his first two goals for his new club Paris St Germain but a stoppage-time penalty for RB Leipzig rescued a 2-2 draw in their Champions League Group A game.

Results from the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday:

Real Madrid (1) 2 Shakhtar Donetsk (1) 1
Milan (0) 1 Porto (1) 1
Borussia Dortmund (1) 1 Ajax (0) 3
Sporting CP (3) 4 Beşiktaş (0) 0
Manchester City (1) 4 Club Brugge (1) 1
RB Leipzig (1) 2 PSG (2) 2
Sheriff (0) 1 Internazionale (0) 3
Liverpool (2) 2 Atlético Madrid (0) 0