Driven by a masterclass from Lionel Messi, Barcelona cruised into the Champions League round of 16 after a 3-1 demolition of Borussia Dortmund. In another dramatic encounter, RB Leipzig qualified for the knockouts for the first time in their history, sealing it with a stunning goal in stoppage time.
The Argentine superstar not only got on the scoresheet but also set up goals for Griezmann and Suarez. This dominant win punished Dortmund and pushed Barcelona up to second in the group, giving them a four-point cushion over both Dortmund and Inter Milan, who claimed a 3-1 win over Slavia Prague.
Ernesto Valverde lauded Messi's performance, describing it as an incredible display of timing and skill that guaranteed their advancement. The breakthrough came in the 29th minute through Suarez, following a clinical pass from Messi. With a scoring streak spanning nine matches, Messi remains in peak form. Consequently, Dortmund fell to third place, trailing Inter Milan, whose convincing victory keeps their hopes of progressing very much alive.
Messi got the ball with a perfect pass which permitted Suarez to open the scoring in the 29th moment. Messi, who has scored multiple times in his last 9 games.
Dortmund descend to third behind Antonio Conte’s Inter side, who thundered to a fine success which keeps alive their expectations of a spot in the following round.
Inter's win was sealed by a double from Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku's debut Champions League goal for the Nerazzurri. They managed to hold off a persistent Slavia Prague team, who had leveled the game in the 37th minute after Tomas Soucek scored from a VAR-assisted decision, shortly after Lukaku had nearly extended Inter's lead.
Although VAR disallowed another late strike from Lukaku for offside, it didn't change the outcome. Inter now know that a victory against Barcelona at the San Siro next month will be enough to guarantee them a spot in the last 16.
Reflecting on the result, Conte remarked that tonight's win gives their upcoming clash with Barca real significance. He anticipates a grueling battle but is confident that the support of 80,000 fans at the stadium will give them the necessary edge.
RB Leipzig entered the knockout rounds in breathtaking fashion. After trailing by two goals, Emil Forsberg rescued a 2-2 draw against Benfica with a penalty in the 90th minute. Needing just one point to advance, the German side looked defeated as time ran out, only for Forsberg's last-minute strike to change everything.
The Germans required a point to qualify but looked dejected as the match dragged towards added time, yet Forsberg pulled a goal from the penalty spot in the 90th minute.
Expressing his pride, Forsberg mentioned that reaching the knockout stages for the first time proves the club is progressing in the right direction and that their hard work is paying off.
At Anfield, Liverpool and Napoli played out a tense 1-1 draw, leaving both teams to wait anxiously for their final standings.