UEFA Champions League, Group A: Red Devils, Horses Post Victories

The second half of UEFA Champions League group-stage play opened on Tuesday with eight games, two of them in Group A. 

At Basel, Switzerland:

Pontus Wernbloom scored the winning goal in the 79th minute as CSKA Moscow knocked off FC Basel 2-1 on the road.  That's Basel's Mohamed Elyounoussi scoring in the 32nd minute.

Keystone photo via Associated Press by Peter Schneider

At Manchester, England:

Goals from Mile Svilar (OG-45') and Daley Blind (PK-78') enabled Manchester United to blank visiting SL Benfica 2-0 as the English club all but locked up a berth in the Champions League's knockout stage while the Portuguese club found themselves all but eliminated from European competition.  Here's Red Devils coach Jose Mourinho observing with a notebook in his hand.

Associated Press photo by Dave Thompson

Group A Standings:

1. Manchester United (GP: 4; GD: +9; PTS: 12)
2. FC Basel (GP: 4; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
3. CSKA Moscow (GP: 4; GD: -3; PTS: 6)
4. SL Benfica (GP: 4; GD: -9; PTS: 0)