New Delhi: Harry Kane’s brace in a 2-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise secured Bayern Munich a ticket to Champions League’s round of 16 while victories for
Premier League clubs put them in a position to book direct qualification spots.
Bayern are now placed second and joined table-toppers Arsenal in advancing while wins for Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea on Wednesday saw them move into the top eight automatic qualifying positions with one game of the league phase remaining.
Tottenham are in fifth slot, behind Liverpool who won 3-0 at Marseille. Newcastle defeated PSV Eindhoven by the same margin and Chelsea beat Pafos 1-0.
Barcelona are ninth after a 4-2 victory at Slavia Prague and could have to go through the playoffs to advance though there is much to play for in the final round of league phase games as only three points separate third-placed Real Madrid and 15th positioned Juventus.
The top eight sides qualify directly to the round of 16 while those placed from nine to 24 enter a two-legged playoff to advance.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s free kick put Liverpool ahead in the first half. A Geronimo Rulli own goal doubled the advantage and Cody Gakpo sealed the win that also saw Hugo Ekitike hit the bar and Mohamed Salah miss a golden chance.
Newcastle cruised past PSV at St James’ Park, with Yoane Wissa, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes on the score sheet, while it took a Moises Caicedo header to see Chelsea break down a stubborn Pafos.
Kane on target
England international Kane scored goals number 35 and 36 in the space of three second-half minutes but missed a second-half penalty to squander a chance to complete his fourth hat-trick of the season.
Fermin Lopez also scored a brace as Barcelona fought back to win against Slavia Prague, who led after 10 minutes through Vasil Kusej.
Lopez’s two goals gave Barcelona the lead while a Robert Lewandowski own goal levelled the game before halftime.
Substitute Dan Olmo then put Barca in front again with a curler into the top corner and Lewandowski sealed the win towards the end.
Weston McKennnie was on target for Juventus in a 2-0 win over Benfica while Atalanta lost 3-2 at home to Athletic Bilbao.
Marcos Llorente’s own goal held Atletico Madrid to a 1-1 draw at Galatasaray. Giuliano Simeone had put Atletico aahead before Llorente’s own goal in the 20th minute.
