Messi celebrates, Liverpool frustrated in Champions League

Ar day to celebrate for Lionel Messi. Ar frustrating day for Liverpool against a familiar opponent.

Messi marked his 700th game for Barcelona with a goal and two assists in a 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund 3-1 that sent his team into kckout rounds of Champions League on Wednesday.

Defending champion Liverpool couldn’t replicate that feat as it struggled once again against Napoli.

two clubs have played four times in last 13 months, with Napoli winning two of those games. This time, Dejan Lovren’s header rescued a 1-1 draw for Liverpool, which must try again to qualify against Salzburg on Dec. 10.

Chelsea will also have to wait for qualification after drawing 2-2 with Valencia on a freak goal, while Leipzig qualified for first time after a dramatic comeback. Talented teenr Erling Haaland scored again for Salzburg to set a record.

MESSI CLEANS UP

It’s t like Barcelona to grind out results, and beating Dortmund brought back some welcome swagger.

For team that leads La Liga despite rarely seeming to reach top gear, Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Dortmund finally showcased talent and creativity in team.

As y have for years, Messi and Luis Suarez combined for first two goals. First Messi assisted for Suarez, n Uruguayan returned favor. Ar Messi assist set up Antoine Griezmann for third.

For Dortmund, it was a third game without a win and perhaps a step closer to exit for coach Lucian Favre. He and players were already targets for fans’ anger after Friday’s 3-3 Bundesliga draw with Paderborn.

Earlier, Lautaro Martinez scored twice as Inter Milan beat Slavia Prague 3-1. Inter can still qualify from Group F, but Slavia is out.

LIVERPOOL FRUSTRATED

Ar game against Napoli and more frustration.

Italian side stopped Liverpool sealing a spot in kckout sts, but couldn’t quite snatch a third win in its last four games against Champions League holder.

Dries Mertens scored from a long pass in 21st before Lovren’s header from a corner leveled game for Liverpool. re was a blow for Reds as defensive midfielder Fabinho was forced off injured.

draw halted a seven-game winning streak for Liverpool in all competitions, including a win on penalties over Arsenal in League Cup.

“We couldn’t put it to bed tonight but it’s Champions League, it’s difficult,” Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson said. “It’s always difficult, re are some really good teams so we have to stay positive.”

In or Group E game, Erling Haaland became first teenr to score in five consecutive Champions League games as Salzburg beat Genk 4-1. rwegian 19-year-old came off bench to get one assist and score Salzburg’s fourth.

Salzburg can still qualify if it beats Liverpool in final game.

CHELSEA LEFT WAITING

Chelsea could have gone through with a win over Valencia, but drew 2-2 and must w wait until its final group game against Lille.

Valencia missed a series of chances including a penalty before Daniel Wass scored a freak goal from a cross in 82nd to snatch a point for Valencia.

“We created a lot, both teams, I don’t kw how many goals re could have been in that game,” Chelsea manr Frank Lampard said. “We can’t turn away from fact that y had a lot of clear chances. y were arriving in our box far too much.”

Ajax beat last-place Lille 2-0 to cement top spot in Group H and w only needs to avoid defeat against Valencia on Dec. 10 to continue a campaign which began in qualifying rounds.

LEIPZIG’S LATE GOALS

Leipzig’s fans turned up expecting to see ir team qualify for kckout sts for first time against Benfica. y got that in end, after an improbable comeback.

Benfica faced elimination if it didn’t win and seized on Leipzig defensive errors to score two goals, second of those also leading to an apparent head injury for Leipzig’s goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi.

However, Leipzig mounted an extraordinary late comeback to grab point it needed to qualify. Emil Forsberg made it 2-1 with a 90th-minute penalty and n leveled game in sixth minute of added time with a header.

Zenit St. Petersburg and Lyon will fight for second qualifying spot in group after Zenit beat its French opponent 2-0 in or game in Group G.

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