Champions League

PIERRE-EMILE HOJBJERG sensationally put Spurs top of the group with a stunning breakaway goal with literally the last kick of the game against Marseille.It left stunned Marseille players on the floor in disbelief – and Spurs’ team delirious at what they had pulled off.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg completed the turnaround and put Tottenham top of the groupCredit: Getty
Clement Lenglet equalised with a second half headerCredit: AP
Son Heung-min had to be taken off with an injury in the first halfCredit: Reuters
Chancel Mbemba gave Marseille a half-time leadCredit: Getty
Antonio Conte showed no emotion up in the stands, but inside his heart must have been pounding as loud as a Marseille ultra firecracker.
The banned Italian had just witnessed Clement Lenglet get his side out of jail with an equalising header on 54 minutes, chalking off Chancel Mbemba’s first-half opener.
It was going to be just enough to scrape Spurs into the Champions League knockout rounds – before Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg made sure of it with a stunner in the fifth minute of injury time.
Amazingly, the Dane’s wonderstrike meant Spurs went through as group winners.
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And with his team performing as poorly as they did in the first half, and other events conspiring against them, Conte most certainly will have taken it.
Spurs preparations had already been thrown into disarray with Conte’s touchline suspension.
That had been earned for his red card after remonstrating on the pitch after Harry Kane’s injury-time winner was ruled out by VAR against Sporting Lisbon last week.
Mischievous home fans tried to disrupt Tottenham even further by letting off fireworks outside the team’s hotel at 1.30am and 4.30am overnight.
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That unwanted bang may have started Spurs’ day, but it looked as if it was going to end with a pitiable whimper.
Particularly when Mbemba, fresh from sending Son Heung-min off with a cheek injury, crashed home a header from a corner in first-half stoppage time.
But Barcelona loanee Lenglet, back in his homeland, saved the day with his first goal for the club.
Conte often talks about the need for his team to suffer for their art and this was the epitome of that.
Spurs scored twice from just three shots on target
The first-half performance was dreadful but all that mattered was getting out of the cacophonous cauldron that is OM’S Stade Velodrome with the result they needed, and that is what his side did.
With Conte up with the crowd and unable to communicate directly with his players, his assistant Cristian Stellini stepped up.
Pre-match the No2 made light of his side’s disrupted shuteye by joking: “We slept very well last night, we enjoyed the fireworks, but they were a bit short!”
Spurs are no strangers to having their sleep disturbed the night before big European games by pesky home fans setting off pyrotechnics.
It happened ahead of last season’s dismal defeat to Vitesse Arnhem in the Europa Conference League.
But fireworks the night before the Champions League semi-final second leg at Ajax in 2019 also sparked one of Spurs’ greatest-ever nights.
Lucas Moura netted an unforgettable hat-trick to send Mauricio Pochettino’s unlikely lads through to the final, a feat that made him deserving of “a statue” according to team-mate Christian Eriksen.
Moura’s Spurs career has rarely sparkled since, but with Dejan Kulusevski and compatriot Richarlison still out injured, he started here.
This was the scene where Eric Dier scored a free-kick for England in their Euro 2016 opener against Russia, a game most remembered for its shocking fan violence in the stands.
Alexis Sanchez, one of a number of Marseille players with Arsenal connections, almost broke the deadlock with only three minutes on the clock, heading Amine Harit’s cross agonisingly wide.
The home side were dealt a blow eight minutes in when Sanchez’s former Manchester United team-mate Eric Bailly hobbled off injured.
Yet, after surviving another effort from Sanchez, Spurs then suffered an injury casualty of their own – and it was a big one.
Son went in for an aerial challenge with Mbemba, whose shoulder crunched into the South Korean’s cheek.
After lengthy treatment, the groggy South Korean eventually hobbled down the tunnel and was replaced by Yves Bissouma.
It was a devastating turn of events for his side, and one that could have World Cup consequences on his nation.
Spurs went even further into the shells without their stricken No7, desperately hoping to make it to half-time with the scores tied.
But it was not to be as Marseille caught them cold with a quick corner which Mbemba converted with a thumping header to spark pandemonium in the stands.
Spurs had to do something having failed to have a single touch in Marseille’s penalty box in the first half.
Emerson Royal was sent on for the second period in Sessegnon’s place.
And within nine minutes of the restart, they nicked an equaliser out of nowhere.
Harry Kane had won a cheap free-kick out on the left, going down under Matteo Guendouzi’s challenge.
Ivan Perisic swung in the set-piece and there was Lenglet to head into the corner for his first Spurs goal.
The TV cameras turned to Conte, who offered no hint of celebration.
Kane had a great chance to put Spurs ahead ten minutes later when keeper Pau Lopez spilled Emerson’s cross but the England captain could not get his feet right.
Hojbjerg went even closer as he fired against the crossbar, before Mbemba’s stunning last-gasp tackle denied Kane when he was in on goal.
Sead Kolasinac, the ex-Arsenal man on as a sub, should have won it for Marseille at the death but somehow headed wide.
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And in the cold light of day, Conte can look upon a season-to-date, as he celebrates one year in the job today, with his team third in the Premier League and into the Champions League knockouts.
But that, like his emotionless expression after his centre-back’s leveller, does not tell the whole story. More

MO SALAH  and Darwin Nunez put a smile back on the face of Jurgen Klopp with the winner that lifted some of the depression that has enveloped Anfield.Like so many of his team mates Egyptian Salah is no longer playing like a king at the moment.
Euro-goal specialist Mo Salah can hardly miss for the openerCredit: EPA
Darwin Nunez is overjoyed after his Champions League strikeCredit: Getty
This poked goal from Dariwn Nunez on 98 minutes was given after video replaysCredit: Reuters
Liverpool hail Mo Salah for his late breakthrough strike at AnfieldCredit: Getty
But he still managed to force the ball over the line five minutes from the end to show that there could yet be some light at the end of the tunnel for the side that this season have lost its identity.
And seven minutes into time added on at the end Nunez also forced the ball home to help Klopp cheer up on what was a milestone night for him
He became the first German to be take charge of 100 Champions League games as a manager.
And the victory against the side seen as new Italian stallions meant he could celebrate his 400th game as the Kop boss.
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This win didn’t really mean that much in terms of his side’ Champions League campaign for Napoli still finished top of Group A.
But still, it as something to cling onto after the way that the mood music of Klopp’s heavy metal football has turned serious and somber.
 Nobody of a red persuasion was really looking for miracles at kick- off  – just an indication that the old mojo was still there, somewhere.
Klopp’s side needed to win by four goals to grab top spot having been thrashed 4-1 by their Italian opponents in the opening game.
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That was never, given the problems Klopp is facing, going to happen.
But a resumption of normal service, of sight of the “ mentality monsters” as he has so often called them as opposed to those who looked mentally shot after the weekend 2 – 1 home defeat, would be enough.
Yet still they ground out a win, Salah pouncing after goalkeeper Alex Meret coud only push out a fierce header from Virgil van Dijk.
Klopp’s four-change side went up against the Serie A leaders –  unbeaten in 70 games this season and having sored 50 goals  – clearly hurting badly.
Questions, hard questions, are being asked about an aging midfield, about why defending has become so hit – and – miss, about the lack of goals, about whether Klopp’s geggenpressing may need a new accent.
Even before those successive Prem defeats to struggles Nottingham Forest, and especially to Leeds United at the weekend, there were worrying signs – not least that defeat in Naples.
True enough, in between those shocks, Liverpool made certain of reaching the Champions League  knock – out stages with a 3-0 win over Ajax in Amsterdam.
But the reality is that while those stats are a testament to his success, they also happen to coincide with him battling to keep everything from falling apart around him.
Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah clinched victory for the Reds late onCredit: EPA
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool came second in their Champions League groupCredit: Getty
As his players warmed up he hardly looked a picture of optimism going up against a side that he will surely have known had not lost a game by four goals in 15 years to anybody.
Not only that, in front men Victor Osimhen and Khvichia Kvartskelia, Klopp’s opposite number Luciano Spalletti could boast one of the most exciting attacking duos in Europe, the pair each having scored eight goals each in this campaign.
Klopp  had already declared: “We have to go through this.
“If you want to get out of something you first have to go through it.”
Credit to his side, against one bidding to be the first in Italian history to win all six Champions League group games, they did their level best.
While Nigerian striker Osimhen suggested a threat throughout the first half, Napoli were not exactly going at the game with any real gusto.
They knew that it would take a sensational turn around- in their form as well as in their opponents – to knock them off top spot.
But it was clear in a Liverpool side that saw central defender Ibrahima Konate make only his second start of the season after a succession of niggly injuries, there was a desire to start the healing process.
Napoli’s Leo Ostigard celebrates – but his goal was ruled outCredit: PA
Leo Ostigard’s joy for Napoli was short-lived, especially as Liverpool later hit a winner of their own in the final Champions League group gameCredit: PA
Thiago produced a Hollywood save from Alex Meret, while the goalkeeper then couldn’t showboat with a flying touch to divert Mo Salah’s low strike – although the Eygptian star’s effort was then ruled out for offside anyway.
The Anfield faithful tried their best to lift their heroes – and indeed help make it one of those great Euro nights.
Yet even there passion could only count for so much within a team struggling to rediscover itself.
And in the 53rd minute it seemed that all their noise had truly counted for nothing as Leo Ostigard rose high – and unsurprisingly these days within Klopp’s defence unmarked – to head past Alisson.
But after a VAR check approaching four minutes referee Tombias Steiler, who had looked as bemused as everyone else by the interminable delay, got the message that Osimhen was offside
Veteran James Milner, having taken a had knock in the first half, was forced off soon after the break adding to Klopp’s lengthy injury list.
But then came those shafts of light provided by Salah and sub Nunez.
Roberto Firmino was up for it in the first half against Napoli at AnfieldCredit: AP
Liverpool striker Mo Salah fends off Napoli centre-back Min-Jae KimCredit: PA More

IN their final game, the final insult.Rangers’ class of 2022 are officially the worst in Champions League history.
It’s been a bruising campaign for RangersCredit: Getty
Gio van Bronckhorst and Rangers didn’t get a single point in Group ACredit: Reuters
Mohammed Kudus fired in goal number two for Ajax at IbroxCredit: Willie Vass
For a decade, Dinamo Zagreb held that dubious honour.
After the 3-1 defeat to Ajax, it’s Gers who must now shoulder the burden of shame.
The manner in which it all unfolded just seemed to set the seal on what’s been a catastrophic campaign.
Two goals scored, a whopping 22 conceded and no points to show after six games.
The ecstasy of Eindhoven – when Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side secured a return to the group stages after an absence of 12 years – seems like a lifetime ago.
They’ve found dining at European football’s top table anything but a palatable experience with Ajax, Napoli and Liverpool taking it in turns to chew them up and spit them out.
Ending as they did with a goal difference of -20, Gers’ humiliation was complete as they took ownership of that unwanted piece of history.
James Tavernier’s late penalty had given them hope they might yet avoid it.
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But just 60 seconds after the Rangers captain found the net, Ajax raced downfield with Francisco Conceição compounding the Ibrox side’s misery with a third for the visitors.
With so much riding on the outcome, the last thing van Bronckhorst needed was an injury crisis.
But that, coupled with John Lundstram’s suspension, is exactly what he had.
Missing four centre halves – Connor Goldson, John Souttar, Ben Davies and Fil Helander – the Gers boss deployed the make-shift pairing of Leon King and James Sands.
A total of ten players were unavailable on a night when he needed his first choice XI.
Instead, Rangers were down to the bare bones.
In comparison, the Dutch were pretty much at full strength with Calvin Bassey back at Ibrox for the first time following his £23million summer move.
Alfred Schreuder’s side were also backed by a boisterous travelling support, meaning that by the time the teams emerged from the tunnel the atmosphere was electric.
How they rated
RANGERS: Allan McGregor 6, James Tavernier 5, Leon King 5, James Sands 5, Borna Barisic 5, Steven Davis 5, Scott Arfield 5, Malik Tillman 4, Fashion Sakala 5, Antonio Colak 4.
SUBS: Glen Kamara 3, Alfredo Morelos 2, Scott Wright 2, Alex Lowry 2, Rabbi Matondo 3.

Van Bronckhorst went 4-2-3-1, with Scott Arfield and Steven Davis asked to provide cover for the back four.
In attack, Antonio Colak was given the nod ahead of Alfredo Morelos.
Rangers had to keep it tight – instead they got off to the worst possible start, a goal down inside four minutes.
James Tavernier was napping, done by Dušan Tadić’s clever ball inside.
The cross picked out Mohammed Kudus whose clever lay off found Steven Berghuis completely unmarked.
King perhaps thought Allan McGregor was going to claim it – nonetheless, it was a wonderful finish to beat the Rangers keeper.
Berghuis then tried a chip from distance, but McGregor saw it all the way.
After such a torrid opening, Rangers actually settled for a spell.
Ryan Kent got to the bye-line, cutting the ball back for Fashion Sakala.
His header was cleared off the line by Bassey.
But just when it looked as though Gers mind find a way back into the game, they hit self destruct.
Just before the half hour, Davis played a crazy pass across the face of his own goal.
It sold Arfield short and it forced McGregor into another smart save.
Van Bronckhorst’s side couldn’t keep a hold of the ball and in the next passage of play, Ajax worked it quickly to Kudus who had his back to goal.
The striker turned well, his shot taking a heavy deflection off King and past McGregor.
Three minutes later, Steven Bergwijn forced McGregor into a stunning one handed save.
With ten minutes of the first half left, Rangers were hanging on. 
Everytime Ajax broke it seemed they would score – the Dutch flashing a further two chances just past the post.
The half-time whistle couldn’t come quickly enough.
Rangers were heading for the ignominy of a record no one wants and the fans who jeered them from the field knew it.
Van Bronckhorst resisted the temptation to make changes at the break.
Those sent back out had to find something, from somewhere.
They’d sat off the Dutch, allowing them to play in the pockets. 
There needed to be more aggression and more purpose in possession.
It had all been too easy for Ajax who hadn’t shifted out of second gear.
With 55 minutes gone, VAR ruled out a third goal for the visitors.
Devyne Rensch had just strayed offside before picking out Kudus who fired past McGregor from close range.
It was a major let off for a Gers side carved open again.
Tavernier scored a let spot-kick for GersCredit: Reuters
But Francisco Conceicao quickly restored the Dutch giants’ two-goal leadCredit: EPA
Glen Kamara, Scott Wright and Morelos were all introduced on the hour.
Ajax continued to play keep-ball.
Aside from a ten minute spell in the first half, Rangers had spent the night chasing shadows.
The Dutch had delivered yet another painful lesson at this level.
Tavernier floated a free-kick straight into the arms of Remko Pasveer with 66 minutes gone.
It was the first save the Ajax keeper had had to make all night.
He was called into action again not long after, tipping over a superb Arfield volley that was heading for the top corner.
A crazy ending followed with Gers sub Rabbi Matondo winning a spot-kick for Gers three minutes from the end.

Tavernier stepped up to score and for a brief moment it seemed Gers wouldn’t be out on their own as the worst in group stage history.
But Conceição’s strike a minute later changed all that – compounding Rangers’ misery at the end of a campaign to forget.
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SON HEUNG-MIN was forced off with a head injury in the first half against Marseille.The Tottenham forward looked groggy as he was helped off the pitch following a collision with Chancel Mbemba.
Son Heung-min was forced off following a collision with Chancel MbembaCredit: Reuters
Son appeared to head Mbemba’s shoulderCredit: BT Sport
The winger received treatment on the pitch before being taken offCredit: Getty

Son received treatment on the pitch for a few minutes as a concerned Alexis Sanchez watched on.
But he was unable to continue as the South Korean appeared to be suffering from a concussion.
The incident occurred as Son challenged Mbemba for a header – but came off second best.
Mbemba got his head to the ball and the Spurs star instead connected with the Marseille defender’s shoulder.
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Son immediately went down clutching his face so the issue could be more serious than a concussion.
But if the winger was concussed he will be out for at least six days to comply with FA protocol.
And that means he will miss the visit of Liverpool on Sunday.
After the game Spurs coach Christian Stellini admitted he did not know if Son had suffered a concussion.
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Stellini said: “In this moment we don’t know.
“We have to wait for a medical assessment. Sonny feels better now.
“I saw him in the dressing room, he celebrated with us. It is Son’s face. His eye is a bit swollen.”
Spurs put on a miraculous second half comeback to return from 1-0 down to win 2-1 despite Son’s absence – and qualify for the knockout stages.
However Tottenham are facing a mini injury crisis in attack with Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison also on the treatment table.
Defender Cristian Romero has also missed the last few games and his absence has coincided with Spurs’ dip in form. More

MARSEILLE fans treated Tottenham to a hostile welcome at the Stade Velodrome ahead of their crunch Champions League clash.Fans gathered in their thousands outside the stadium and began setting off flares – hours after tormenting Spurs with more pyrotechnics.
Marseille fans created a hostile atmosphere outside the Stade VelodromeCredit: Reuters
Thousands of supporters gathered outside the ground ahead of the gameCredit: Reuters
Fans watched as several flares were set offCredit: @garyjacob
A win for Marseille will see them qualify from the group
Marseille fans let off fireworks in the middle of the night near Spurs’ hotel
Supporters also chanted songs in a bid to drum up a raucous atmosphere ahead of Tottenham’s arrival at the ground.
It came after a group of Marseille fans set off fireworks at 1am and 4am this morning in a bid to wake up Spurs players sleeping in their hotel.
The French side are looking for every possible advantage ahead of the game, as only a win will send them through the group.
Tottenham only need to avoid defeat to progress and a win will see them win the group.
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Marseille star Alexis Sanchez is out to stop Antonio Conte’s side and the forward could have a big role to play.
He was often a thorn in Spurs’ side during his time in England, having only lost once against them while at Arsenal.
Sanchez also scored against Tottenham in an FA Cup semi-final for Manchester United, and the Chilean is determined to get one over on his old foe.
He said: “Beating Spurs every time was a great joy. It was very special and those are memories that I hold dear to my heart.
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“Every single player has motivation to play and win. We all want to bring the victory back.
“In the dressing room, there is a lot of passion. Playing in front of the fans with their atmosphere is super important and that will drive us on.” More