UEFA Champions League Wednesday Wrap

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Another incredible night of action in the UEFA Champions League brought goals and excitement from every angle.

Chelsea struggled, Bayern romped and United faced some bizarre difficulties with the facilities in Braga.

Read on for all the details from Wednesday's matches, and click here for all the group tables.

I hope no one took under 2.5 goals on their bet slip.

All the Scores

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Group E

Chelsea 3-2 Shakhtar Donetsk

Juventus 4-0 Nordsjaelland

 

Group F

Bayern Munich 6-1 Lille

Valencia 4-2 BATE Borisov

 

Group G

Celtic 2-1 Barcelona

Benfica 2-0 Spartak Moskva

 

Group H

Braga 1-3 Manchester United

CFR Cluj 1-3 Galatasaray

Chelsea 3-2 Shakhtar Donetsk

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Scorers: Chelsea—Fernando Torres 6', Oscar 40', Victor Moses 90'+3'; Shakhtar Donetsk—Willian 9', 47' 

Quick recap: Chelsea's last-gasp winner was a welcome relief to fans at Stamford Bridge who'd seen their side outplayed by the Ukrainian champions. This game had absolutely everything and served as a footballing lesson to all.

Where it leaves them: Chelsea and Shakhtar are tied for the top spot in Group E with seven points apiece, with Juventus breathing down their necks with six.

Up next: Chelsea travel to Turin to face Juventus on Nov. 20, while Shakhtar face Nordsjaelland away.

Goal of the night: Full highlights are here. Oscar's 45-yard effort had some bend on it!

Juventus 4-0 Nordsjaelland

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Scorers: Juventus—Claudio Marchisio 6', Arturo Vidal 23', Sebastian Giovinco 37', Fabio Quagliarella 75'

Quick recap: The Old Lady recorded an impressive win over The Wild Tigers and ramped up the pressure in Group E. The devastating display ended Nordsjaelland's competitive participation in the tournament, while Juve have sent a message.

Where it leaves them: Juventus remain a point behind Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk in a close race for qualification; Nordsjaelland are out.

Up next: Juventus host Chelsea at Juventus Stadium on Nov. 20, while Nordsjaelland welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to town.

Goal of the night: All the goals can be found here. Which is the finest?

Bayern Munich 6-1 Lille

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Scorers: Bayern Munich—Bastian Schweinsteiger 5', Claudio Pizarro 18', 28', 33', Arjen Robben 23', Toni Kroos 66'; Lille—Salomon Kalou 57'

Quick recap: Die Bayern put on an attacking masterclass at Allianz Arena, burying Les Dogues, 5-0, before halftime. Kalou grabbed a goal in the second half, but Kroos quickly stamped out any possible consolatory feelings.

Where it leaves them: Bayern move atop the group on goal difference with nine points. Lille stay rock bottom after yet again failing to record even a single point.

Up next: Bayern travel to the Mestalla to meet Valencia on Nov. 20, while Lille travel to Belarus to face BATE.

Goal of the night: All can be found here. Schweini's free kick is lovely, isn't it?

Valencia 4-2 BATE Borisov

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Scorers: Valencia—Jonas 26', Roberto Soldado 29', Sofiane Feghouli 51', 86'; BATE Borisov—Renan Bressan 53', Dmitiri Mozolevski 83'

Quick recap: Los Che were up, 3-0, and cruising by the 50-minute mark, but somehow allowed BATE to launch a comeback at the Mestalla. Feghouli's second late one wiped away any hopes of a historic comeback.

Where it leaves them: Valencia tie Bayern at the top of Group F, but remain second on goal difference. BATE are still in the hunt with six points.

Up next: Valencia host the formidable Bayern, while BATE welcome Lille to Belarus on Nov. 20.

Celtic 2-1 Barcelona

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Scorers: Celtic—Victor Wanyama 21', Anthony Watt 83'; Barcelona—Lionel Messi 90+1'

Quick recap: One day after the club's 125-year landmark, Celtic recorded a historic result that will be savoured by fans for years. Barca piled the pressure on and hit the woodwork twice, but Messi's goal proved only a consolation.

Where it leaves them: La Blaugrana are still leading Group G with nine points, while Celtic move up to second with seven points.

Up next: Barcelona face the daunting task of a trip to Russia to face Spartak Moskva, while Celtic travel to the warmer climate of Portugal, where Benfica lay in wait.

Goal of the night: Watt's decisive goal will never be forgotten.

Benfica 2-0 Spartak Moskva

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Scorers: Benfica—Oscar Cardozo 55', 69'

Quick recap: Benfica finally found their European game at the Estadio da Luz, beating Spartak Moskva comfortably. The 2-0 scoreline flattered the visitors as Cardozo and co. turned it on.

Where it leaves them: Both teams trail Barcelona and Celtic in the race for qualification, with Benfica sitting on four points and Spartak on three points.

Up next: Benfica host Celtic on Nov. 20, while Spartak Moskva host Spanish powerhouses Barcelona at Luzhniki Stadium.

Goal of the night: Neither of Cardozo's goals were particularly easy on the eyes.

Braga 1-3 Manchester United

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Scorers: Braga—Alan 49'; Manchester United—Robin van Persie 80', Wayne Rooney 84', Javier Hernandez 90'+2'

Quick recap: Braga gave Sir Alex Ferguson yet another scare, but after a power outage that delayed proceedings for 10 minutes, United came out of the blocks too hot to handle. Three late goals saw the Red Devils reach the magical 12-point mark.

Where it leaves them: United have secured four wins from four and qualify with ease for the knockout stages. Braga move to the bottom of the group.

Up next: Braga travel to Transylvania looking for revenge against Cluj on Nov. 20, while Manchester United face a tough trip to Galatasaray.

Goal of the night: Van Persie's equaliser was well-taken.

CFR Cluj 1-3 Galatasaray

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Scorers: CFR Cluj—Modou Sougou 53'; Galatasaray—Burak Yilmaz 18', 61', 74'

Quick recap: Yilmaz's hat trick was the story of the night, as Gala showed their superiority in Transylvania. Toward the end, the Turkish team were simply toying with their counterparts and winding the clock down effortlessly.

Where it leaves them: Gala finally move off the foot of the table and into joint second with Cluj. With Braga last with three points, all three are firmly in the mix for qualification.

Up next: Cluj host Braga on Nov. 20, while Galatasaray host Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United.

Goal of the night: Yilmaz's ridiculous headed goal can be seen here.

 

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