This season’s UEFA Champions League group stage has arguably been one of the most riveting for many years, with plenty of goals, shocks and talking moments.
Matchday 6 was no different as teams completed their group fixtures as they aim to qualify for the knock-out stages.
With both Manchester United and Manchester City already qualified, Liverpool and Tottenham still had work to do in difficult fixtures in order to reach the Last 16.
What followed was two night’s of high drama, late goals and luckily two more English qualifications.
You know the last 16, but here’s what you missed on two nights of European action.
Alisson Save
He may have cost over £60 million, but Alisson Becker is slowly proving to be an absolute bargain for Liverpool.
His 93rd minute world class save to deny Arkadiusz Milik saw his team qualify for the last 16.
Kane’s Determination
Harry Kane put in a brilliant performance for his team and although he didn’t manage to get on the scoresheet his assist for Lucas Moura was so important.
It was clear to see Kane wasn’t just happy with the draw and rather than celebrate with the Brazilian hurried his onfield players back to their half, ready to go again and search for the winner.
Great mentality from the England captain.
Dembele’s Run
Like at Wembley, Spurs suffered the worst possible start on Tuesday as Ousmane Dembele opened the scoring for the hosts in the seventh minute.
A goal worthy that would have pundits purring if it had been Lionel Messi, the Frenchman picked the ball off Kyle Walker-Peters on the halfway line and had only one intention.
Sissoko At Right Back
Moussa Sissoko’s resurgence back to the Tottenham starting line-up has arguably been one of the biggest surprises of the season.
With Spurs desperate to equalise, Mauricio Pochettino hauled on his attacking players and Sissoko ended up playing right-back at the Nou Camp. Mental.
Napoli Fan Crying
Emotions were running high at Anfield, with Liverpool knowing realistically on a win would see them through, whereas Napoli needed just a score draw.
Despite just needing a goal at any point, moments after Mo Salah opened the scoring, this Napoli fan was caught on camera crying, in the 36th minute!
Maybe he foresaw the result from that moment, but it seems a tad much so early on.
100 Appearances For Busquets
It may have been from the substitute’s bench but Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets made his 100th appearance in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The Spanish midfielder has won three Champions League’s in his career, making him one of the most decorated players in the competition.
Casillas Milestone
Another player that reached a significant milestone was Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who picked him his 100th win in the competition.
The former Real Madrid captain becomes only the second player to reach this achievement, Cristiano Ronaldo is the other.
Ederson Save
Just 24 hours after Alisson’s incredible stop against Napoli, Man City keeper Ederson produced a sublime piece of goalkeeping of his own.
The Brazilian managed to get his fingertips to Andrej Kramarić’s curling effort.
Dries Mertens Comments
Just before kick-off Napoli’s Dries Mertens was asked wha the thought of Anfield and what he thought it would be like on big night in the Champions League:
“My strongest memory is that they have a sign saying ‘This is Anfield’ and everyone was talking about it, so I was thinking it’s very big, you know, I came through the tunnel and I asked, ‘Where is the thing?’ and they said you missed it and I hadn’t noticed it. So, in the second half, I’m looking at this small thing and asking, ‘Is this so special?’”
