adminMADRID. — Atletico Madrid and Barcelona led a Spanish Armada into the Champions League last 16 with home won Wednesday night.
Atletico put on a ruthless display in their 4-0 cruise past Group G whipping boys Austria Vienna to glide into the knock-out stages after four wins from four with two matches to spare. Miranda grabbed Atletico’s opener after 11 minutes before Raul Garcia rose athletically to head home the second, with Filipe Luis making it three for this term’s potential surprise packages on half-time.
Diego Costa missed a penalty but added a fourth goal on 82 minutes as Diego Simeone’s men made sure of top spot and equalled their biggest Champions League win in reaching the knock-out stages for the first time since 2008/09.
“We knew it was very important to win today because of the result between Zenit and Porto. The team was great today and we deserved to reach the round of 16,” the forward told reporters.
Zenit St Petersburg stayed as favourites to take second place and qualify after Hulk scored the equaliser but also missed a spot kick in a 1-1 home draw with his former side Porto. Napoli overcame Olympique Marseille 3-2 at the San Paolo thanks to Gonzalo Higuain’s double.
Added to a cracker from Gokhan Inler, who chested down a clearance on the edge of the area and volleyed home, Higuain’s goals meant the pointless French side are out of last-16 contention. Chelsea’s first goal in a 3-0 home win over Schalke 04 was hardly a classic in contrast, with keeper Timo Hildebrand blasting his clearance against Samuel Eto’o and the ball flying in. — Reuters.
Online Reporter