Two games were played in Group B of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
At Manchester, England:
Wayne Rooney (that him celebrating with Bastien Schweinsteiger) scored the only goal of the match in the 79th minute as Manchester United defeated visiting CSKA Moscow 1-0.
AFP/Getty Images photo
At Eindhoven, Netherlands:
Jurgen Locadia (55', that's him, on the right, celebrating) and Luuk De Jong (86') each scored a goal as PSV Eindhoven blanked visiting VfL Wolfsburg 2-0.
Getty Images photo
Group B Standings:
1. Manchester United (GP: 4; GD: +1; PTS: 7)
2. PSV Eindhoven (GP: 4; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
3. VfL Wolfsburg (GP: 4; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
4. CSKA Moscow (GP: 4; GD: -1; PTS: 4)
NOTE: PSV Eindhoven has scored six goals in group-stage action, compared to four goals scored by VfL Wolfsburg.
The second half of UEFA Champions League group-stage play commenced on Tuesday with eight games, two of them in Group A.
At Lviv, Ukraine:
Oleksandr Hladkyy (29', that's him, in front, celebrating after scoring), Darijo Sma (PK-48'), Eduardo da Silva (55'), and Alex Teixeira (73') each scored a goal as Shakhtar Donetsk demolished visiting Malmo FF 4-0.
At Madrid:
Nacho scored the only goal of the match in the 35th minute (that's him, on the left, celebrating with Cristiano Ronaldo) as Real Madrid locked up a berth in the knockout stage for the 19th consecutive year with a 1-0 victory over visiting Paris Saint-Germain.
AFP/Getty Images photos
Group A Standings:
1. x-Real Madrid (GP: 4; GD: +7; PTS: 10)
2. Paris Saint-Germain (GP: 4; GD: +4; PTS: 7)
3. Shakhtar Donetsk (GP: 4; GD: -4; PTS: 3)
4. Malmo FF (GP: 4; GD: -7; PTS: 3)
x-Clinched berth in knockout stage
Four conference semifinal series opened on Sunday as the MLS Cup Playoffs resumed.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At Washington:
Dax McCarty scored the only goal of the match in the 72nd minute as the New York Red Bulls took the opening match of their two-game conference semifinal series with DC United 1-0 on the road.
At Montreal:
Patrice Bernier (37') and Johan Venegas (77') each tallied once as the Montreal Impact defeated the visiting Columbus Crew 2-1 in game one of their two-game series. Federico Higuain scored what might still be an important road goal for the Crew in the 33rd minute.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Portland, Oregon:
The opening contest between the Portland Timbers and the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
At Seattle:
Andreas Ivanschitz (67') and Clint Dempsey (86') produced the second-half scoring as the Seattle Sounders came from behind to overtake visiting FC Dallas 2-1. Fabian Castillo scored what might still be a precious away goal for the Hoops in the 18th minute.
Here's the schedule for the four return contests, all to be played next Sunday with the hosts listed first and all times Pacific:
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
New York Red Bulls vs. DC United, 12:00 Noon (ESPN)
Columbus Crew vs. Montreal Impact, 2:00 PM (ESPN)
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
FC Dallas vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 4:30 PM (Fox Sports 1)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Portland Timbers, 7:00 PM (Fox Sports 1)
At Algiers:
Rainford Kabala (27') and Mbwana Samatta (PK-79') each scored a goal on Saturday as TP Mazembe knocked off USM Alger 2-1 on the road in the opening game of the CAF Champions League Final.
The series will conclude next Sunday at Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The series winner will play in the FIFA World Cup Final, set to take place in December in Japan.
The knockout round of the Major League Soccer playoffs concluded on Thursday with two games.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At Montreal:
In the first-ever playoff meeting between two Canadian clubs, Patrice Bernier (18'), Ignacio Piatti (33'), and Didier Drogba (39') each scored a goal in the first half as the Montreal Impact dominated visiting Toronto FC 3-0, ruining the Reds' playoff debut. The Impact will open their Eastern Conference two-game semifinal series this coming Sunday at home against the Columbus Crew at 4:00 PM Pacific Standard Time (Fox Sports 1).
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Portland, Oregon:
After a 2-2 draw through 120 minutes, Nat Borchers, Liam Ridgewell, Maximiliano Urruti (whose overtime equalizer in the 118th minute forced the shootout), Dairon Asprilla, Darlington Nagbe, George Fochive, and (with the winner) Adam Kwarasey converted their spot kicks as the Portland Timbers won the penalty-kick shootout 7-6 in eleven rounds to advance to the Western Conference semifinals. The aforementioned Mr. Kwarasey saved a spot kick from fellow goalkeeper Jon Kempin to preserve the victory.
The Timbers will host the opening game of their two-match series with the Vancouver Whitecaps at home this coming Sunday at 2:00 PM Pacific Standard Time (ESPN).
Two other conference semifinal series start on Sunday as well with DC United hosting the New York Red Bulls in an Eastern Conference semifinal series opener at 12:00 Noon Pacific Time (ESPN) and FC Dallas visiting the Seattle Sounders in game one of their Western Conference semifinal series at 6:30 PM Pacific Time (Fox Sports 1).
The 2015 Major League Soccer Cup Playoffs commenced on Wednesday with two games in the knockout round.
EASTERN CONFERENCE;
At Washington:
Chris Rolfe scored the game-winning goal in the 83rd minute as DC United came from behind to upend the visiting (and ten-man) New England Revolution 2-1. Fabian Espindola assisted on both goals from the hosts, the Chris Pontius goal in the 45th minute and the game winner from the aforementioned Chris Rolfe.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Seattle:
Eric Friberg scored the winning goal in the 73rd minute as the Seattle Sounders ended the Los Angeles Galaxy's one-year reign as MLS Cup champions following their 3-2 home victory.
Ten games were played on Sunday as Major League Soccer wrapped up its' 20th regular season.
At Montreal:
Didier Drogba scored twice within a minute in the second half (54', 55') as the Montreal Impact came from behind to overcome visiting Toronto FC 2-1 to lock up third place in the Eastern Conference and a home date----against the Reds----in an opening-round one-game playoff on Thursday.
At Chester, Pennsylvania:
Sebastien Le Toux successfully converted a penalty kick in the 41st minute as the Philadelphia Union defeated visiting Orlando City 1-0. The Lions, whose five-match winning streak ended, saw their playoff chances snuffed out anyway, as New England manhandled New York City on the road for the last available Eastern Conference playoff berth.
At Columbus, Ohio:
Ethan Finlay scored twice within a minute (66', 67') as the Columbus Crew demolished visiting DC United 5-0 and assured themselves of a berth in the Eastern Conference semifinal while the visitors host New England in a one-game knockout playoff this coming week.
At New York:
Lee Nguyen (2') , Charlie Davies (38'), and Kelyn Rowe (55') each scored a goal as the New England Revolution defeated New York City 3-1 on the road and wrapped up a playoff berth.
At Frisco, Texas:
Mauro Diaz (38') and Victor Ulloa (77') each delivered a goal as FC Dallas, who had already locked up the Western Conference's top playoff seed, came from behind to upend the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 and eliminated the visitors from playoff contention.
At Seattle:
Clint Dempsey scored twice (5', 20') as the Seattle Sounders defeated visiting Real Salt Lake 3-1 to claim their seventh consecutive MLS Cup playoff berth.
At Vancouver, British Columbia:
Kekuta Manneh (59') , Kendall Waston (72'), and Robert Earnshaw (90'+3) each tallied once as the Vancouver Whitecaps dominated the visiting Houston Dynamo 3-0 to finish in second place in the Western Conference standings and earn a first-round bye into the conference semifinals for the first time in franchise history.
At Bridgeview, Illinois:
Bradley Wright-Phillips (8') and Sacha Kljestan (PK-35') delivered the goals as the New York Red Bulls won their second Supporters' Shield in the last three years with their 2-1 road win over the Chicago Fire.
At Kansas City, Kansas:
Dom Dwyer scored the winning goal in the 65th minute as Sporting Kansas City nailed down a Western Conference playoff berth with a 2-1 win over the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy.
At Portland, Oregon:
Darlington Nagbe scored twice in the first half (5', 33') as the Portland Timbers locked up a playoff berth with a 4-1 home domination of the woeful Colorado Rapids.
FINAL MLS STANDINGS:
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
1. New York Red Bulls (GP: 34; GD: +19; PTS: 60)
2. Columbus (GP: 34; GD: +5; PTS: 53)
3. Montreal (GP: 34; GD: +4; PTS: 51)
4. DC United (GP: 34; GD: -2; PTS: 51)
5. New England (GP: 34; GD: +1; PTS: 50)
6. Toronto FC (GP: 34; GD: 0; PTS: 49)
7. Orlando City SC (GP: 34; GD: -10; PTS: 44)
8. New York City FC (GP: 37; GD: -9; PTS: 37)
9. Philadelphia (GP: 34; GD: -13; PTS: 37)
10. Chicago (GP: 34; GD: -15; PTS: 30)
NOTES: With Montreal and DC United level on points (51) and wins (15), the Impact have the superior goal differential (+4, to DC's -2); with New York City and Philadelphia level on points (34) and wins (10), the Citizens have the superior goal differential (-9, to the Union's -13)
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
1. FC Dallas (GP: 34; GD: +13; PTS: 60)
2. Vancouver (GP: 34; GD: +9; PTS: 53)
3. Portland (GP: 34; GD: +2; PTS: 53)
4. Seattle (GP: 34; GD: +8; PTS: 51)
5. Los Angeles (GP: 34; GD: +10; PTS: 51)
6. Kansas City (GP: 34; GD: +3; PTS: 51)
7. San Jose (GP: 34; GD: +2; PTS: 47)
8. Houston (GP: 34; GD: -7; PTS: 42)
9. Real Salt Lake (GP: 34; GD: -10; PTS: 41)
10. Colorado (GP: 34; GD: -10; PTS: 37)
NOTES: With Vancouver and Portland level on points with 53, the Whitecaps have more wins (16, to the Timbers' 15); with Seattle, Los Angeles, and Sporting Kansas City all level on points (51), the Sounders have the most wins of the trio (15, compared to 14 apiece for the Galaxy and Sporting KC); Los Angeles has the superior goal differential compared to Kansas City (+10 to +3).
SUPPORTERS' SHIELD RACE: With New York and FC Dallas level on points (60) and wins (18), the Red Bulls won the Supporters Shield thanks to superior goal differential (+19, to the Hoops' +13)
Here are the matchups for the one-game knockout round as the 2015 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs will commence on Wednesday with the hosts listed first and all times Pacific Daylight Savings.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
Wednesday:
DC United vs. New England Revolution, 4:30 PM (UniMas)
Thursday:
Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC, 4:00 PM (UniMas)
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
Wednesday:
Seattle Sounders FC vs. Los Angeles Galaxy, 7:00 PM (UniMas)
Thursday:
Portland Timbers vs. Sporting Kansas City, 7:00 PM (UniMas, ROOT Sports Northwest)
The winners of these one-game series will advance to their respective conference semifinals.
Already advanced to the conference semifinals:
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
New York Red Bulls
Columbus Crew SC
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
FC Dallas
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
CONCACAF Champions League group-stage play concluded on Thursday with three games.
GROUP C:
At Panama City, Panama:
Johnny Castillo delivered a hat trick (17', 30', 77') while Ervin Zorilla added a double (33', 42') as San Francisco FC annihilated visiting Verdes FC 8-0.
Final Group C Standings:
1. Queretaro FC (GP: 4; GD: +9; PTS: 7)
2. San Francisco FC (GP: 4; GD: +6; PTS: 6)
3. Verdes FC (GP: 4; GD: -15; PTS: 4)
Queretaro FC won Group C and advanced to the quarterfinal round.
GROUP F:
At Tegucigalpa, Honduras:
Nestor Martinez scored the only goal of the match in the 69th minute as CD Olimpia defeated the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0.
Final Group F Standings:
1. Seattle Sounders FC (GP: 4; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
2. CD Olimpia (GP: 4; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
3. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (GP: 4; GD: -3; PTS: 4)
The Seattle Sounders won Group F and advanced to the quarterfinal round.
GROUP H:
At Montego Bay, Jamaica:
Abdiel Arroyo scored the winning goal in the 83rd minute as Arabe Unido held off hosts Montego Bay United 2-1.
Final Group H Standings:
1. DC United (GP: 4; GD: +6; PTS: 10)
2. Arabe Unido (GP: 4; GD: +1; PTS: 6)
3. Montego Bay United FC (GP: 4; GD: -7; PTS: 1)
DC United won Group H and advanced to the quarterfinal round.
24 games were contested on Thursday as Europa League group-stage play reached the midway point.
GROUP A:
At Molde, Norway:
Vegard Forren scored the winning goal in the 18th minute as Molde FK defeated visiting Celtic 3-1.
At Istanbul, Turkey:
Fernandao scored the only goal of the match in the 89th minute as Fenerbahce defeated visiting Ajax Amsterdam 1-0.
Group A Standings:
1. Molde FK (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 7)
2. Fenerbahce (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 4)
3. Celtic FC (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 2)
4. Ajax Amsterdam (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 2)
NOTE: Celtic scored two goals on the road in their September 17 contest with Ajax Amsterdam.
GROUP B:
At Liverpool, England:
Emre Can's equalizer in the 37th minute enabled Liverpool to salvage a 1-1 home draw with Rubin Kazan. Marko Devic scored for the Russian club in the 15th minute.
At Bordeaux, France:
Leo Lacroix scored the lone goal of FC Sion's 1-0 road win over Bordeaux in the 21st minute.
Group B Standings:
1. FC Sion (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 7)
2. Liverpool (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
3. FC Rubin Kazan (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 2)
4. Bordeaux (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 2)
NOTE: Bordeaux and guests FC Rubin Kazan battled to a 0-0 stalemate on October 1.
GROUP C:
At Baku, Azerbaijan:
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang delivered a natural hat trick (31', 38', 72') as Borussia Dortmund downed Gabala FK 3-1 on the road.
At Thessaloniki, Greece:
FC Krasnodar gained a 0-0 road deadlock with PAOK FC.
Group C Standings:
1. Borussia Dortmund (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
2. FC Krasnodar (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
3. PAOK FC (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Gabala FK (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)
GROUP D:
At Warsaw, Poland:
Michal Kucharczyk's equalizer in the 51st minute lifted Legia Warsaw to a 1-1 home draw with Club Brugge. Davy De fauw scored for the Belgian club in the 39th minute.
At Herning, Denmark:
Manolo Gabbiadini scored twice (31', 40') as Napoli defeated FC Midtjylland 4-1 on the road.
Group D Standings:
1. Napoli (GP: 3; GD: +10; PTS: 9)
2. FC Midtjylland (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
3. Club Brugge (GP: 3; GD: -7; PTS: 1)
4. Legia Warsaw (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)
NOTE: Club Brugge gained a 1-1 road draw with Legia Warsaw on Thursday.
GROUP E STANDINGS:
At Villarreal, Spain:
Cedric Bakambu scored twice (17', 32') as Villarreal demolished visiting Dinamo Minsk 4-0.
At Vienna, Austria:
Athanasios Petsos scored the winning goal in the 68th minute as Rapid Vienna held off visiting FC Viktoria Plzen 3-2.
Group E Standings:
1. Rapid Vienna (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
2. Villarreal (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
3. FC Viktoria Plzen (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. FC Dinamo Minsk (GP: 3; GD: -7; PTS: 0)
GROUP F:
At Braga, Portugal:
Alan Osorio de Costa Silva scored the winning goal in the 88th minute as Sporting Braga, who blew a two-goal lead, still defeated visiting Marseille 3-2.
At Liberec, Czech Republic:
Danny Hoesen's equalizer in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time lifted FC Groningen to a 1-1 road draw with FC Slovan Liberec. Kevin Luckassen scored for the hosts in the 87th minute.
Group F Standings:
1. Sporting Braga (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
2. FC Slovan Liberec (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
3. Marseille (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
4. FC Groningen (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 1)
GROUP G:
At Rome:
Felipe Anderson scored the winning goal in the 54th minute as ten-man Lazio defeated visiting Rosenborg 3-1.
At Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine:
Romain Hamouma scored the only goal of Saint-Etienne's 1-0 road win over FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the 44th minute.
Group G Standings:
1. Lazio (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
2. Saint-Etienne (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
3. FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
4. Rosenborg BK (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)
NOTE: Saint-Etienne defeated FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 1-0 on the road on Thursday.
GROUP H:
At Moscow:
Mario Gomez delivered the equalizer in the 64th minute lifted Besiktas to a 1-1 road draw with Lokomotiv Moscow. Maicon Marques scored for the hosts in the 54th minute.
At Lisbon, Portugal:
Matheus Pereira scored twice (64', 77') each scored twice as Sporting CP demolished visiting Skenderbeu Korce 5-1.
Group H Standings:
1. Lokomotiv Moscow (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 7)
2. Besiktas (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
3. Sporting CP (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 4)
4. Skenderbeu Korce (GP: 3; GD: -7; PTS: 0)
GROUP I:
At Basel, Switzerland:
Kuca Miranda scored the winning goal in the opening minute of first-half stoppage time as Belenenses knocked off FC Basel 2-1 on the road.
At Florence, Italy:
Maciej Gojos scored the winning goal in the 82nd minute as Lech Poznan held off Fiorentina 2-1 on the road.
Group I Standings:
1. FC Basel (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. Lech Poznan (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 4)
3. Belenenses (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 4)
4. Fiorentina (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
GROUP J:
At Fontvieille, Monaco:
Lacina Traore scored the only goal of the match in the 70th minute as AS Monaco downed visiting Qarabag FK 1-0.
At Brussels, Belgium:
Stefano Okaka scored the winning goal in the 75th minute as RSC Anderlecht defeated visiting Tottenham Hotspur 2-1.
Group J Standings:
1. AS Monaco (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
2. RSC Anderlecht (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
3. Tottenham Hotspur (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
4. Qarabag FK (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 3)
NOTE: RSC Anderlecht defeated visiting Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 on Thursday.
GROUP K:
At Gelsenkirchen, Germany:
Franco Di Santo (6') Leroy Sane (73') each scored a goal for FC Schalke as the Royal Blues salvaged a 2-2 home draw with Sparta Prague. Kehinde Fatai (50') and David Lafata (63') produced the scoring for the visiting Czech club.
At Nicosia, Cyprus:
Carlos Roberto de Cruz Junior (also known as Carlao) scored the winning goal in the 59th minute as APOEL FC defeated visiting Asteras Tripoli 2-1.
Group K Standings:
1. FC Schalke 04 (GP: 3; GD: +7; PTS: 7)
2. Sparta Prague (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 5)
3. APOEL FC (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 3)
4. Asteras Tripoli FC (GP: 3; GD: -5; PTS: 1)
GROUP L:
At Alkmaar, Netherlands:
Piotr Trochowski scored the only goal of the match in the 43rd minute as FC Augsburg defeated AZ Alkmaar 1-0 on the road for their first victory in a European club competition.
At Belgrade, Serbia:
Raul Garcia (32') and Benat Etxebarria (85') delivered the goals as Athletic Bilbao blanked Partizan Belgrade 2-0 on the road.
Group L Standings:
1. Athletic Bilbao (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
2. Partizan Belgrade (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 6)
3. FC Augsburg (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 3)
4. AZ Alkmaar (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
NOTE: FC Augsburg defeated AZ Alkmaar 1-0 on the road on Thursday.
Two games were contested in the CONCACAF Champions League's group stage on Wednesday.
GROUP B:
At San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico:
A 0-0 home stalemate with Herediano clinched a berth in the quarterfinal round for Tigres.
Final Group B Standings:
1. UANL Tigres (GP: 4; GD: +2; PTS: 8)
2. Club Sport Herediano (GP: 4; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
3. Isidro Metapan (GP: 4; GD: -3; PTS: 3)
UANL Tigres won Group B and advanced to the quarterfinal round.
GROUP D:
At Guatemala City:
Rolando Blackburn's stoppage-time equalizer (90'+3) enabled CSD Comunicaciones to salvage a 1-1 home draw with the knockout-stage-bound Los Angeles Galaxy, whose goal came in the 84th minute from Alan Gordon.
Final Group D Standings:
1. Los Angeles Galaxy (GP: 4; GD: +9; PTS: 8)
2. Central FC (GP: 4; GD: -4; PTS: 4)
3. CSD Comunicaciones (GP: 4; GD: -5; PTS: 4)
The Los Angeles Galaxy won Group D and advanced to the quarterfinal round.
With all three Thursday contests each involving two clubs that had already been eliminated, the seeding for all eight clubs that clinched knockout-stage berths has been determined.
Here are the match-ups for the quarterfinal round (which starts during the 2016 calendar year), with the game-one hosts listed first:
Seattle Sounders FC (USA) vs. Club America (Mexico)
Queretaro FC (Mexico) vs. DC United (USA)
UANL Tigres (Mexico) vs. Real Salt Lake (USA)
Los Angeles Galaxy (USA) vs. Santo Laguna (Mexico)
At Kansas City, Kansas:
Dillon Powers (77') and Marcelo Sarvas (86') each scored a goal late as the Colorado Rapids upset home-standing Sporting Kansas City 2-0 in the lone Wednesday Major League Soccer contest.
The defeat prevented SKC from locking up their fifth consecutive MLS Cup playoff berth.
The midway point of Group D play in the UEFA Champions League was reached on Wednesday with two matches.
At Turin, Italy:
Borussia Monchengladbach held hosts Juventus to a 0-0 deadlock. That's Juve's Paul Pogba battling Gladbach's Granit Xhaka for the ball.
At Manchester, England:
Kevin De Bruyne scored the winning goal in the opening minute of second-half stoppage time as Manchester City defeated visiting Sevilla 2-1. Here's Kevin celebrating his game winner with Citizens manager Manuel Pellegrini.
AFP/Getty Images photos
Group D Standings:
1. Juventus (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
2. Manchester City (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 6)
3. Sevilla (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Borussia Dortmund (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 1)
The midway point in UEFA Champions League Group B play reached the halfway point on Wednesday with two contests.
At Madrid:
Saul Niguez Esclapez opened the scoring in the 23rd minute as Atletico Madrid demolished visiting FC Astana 4-0. Here's the Mattress Makers' Oliver Torres scoring the hosts third goal in the 63rd minute.
At Istanbul, Turkey:
Lukas Podolski scored the winning goal in the 33rd minute as Galtasaray defeated visiting SL Benfica 2-1. Here are the happy Galatasaray celebrating after Cool Hand Lukas' game winner.
AFP/Getty Images photos
Group C Standings:
1. SL Benfica (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. Atletico Madrid (GP: 3; GD: +5; PTS: 6)
3. Galatasaray (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 4)
4. FC Astana (GP: 3; GD: -6; PTS: 1)
NOTE: SL Benfica defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1 on the road in the first of two group-stage games between the clubs.
Group B play in the UEFA Champions League reached the midway on Wednesday with two games.
At Khimki, Russia:
Anthony Martial's equalizer in the 65th minute (that's him celebrating with teammates afterward) carried Manchester United to a 1-1 road draw with CSKA Moscow. Seydou Doumbia scored for the Horses in the 15th minute.
At Wolfsburg, Germany:
Bas Dost (46', that's him celebrating here) and Max Kruse (57') each delivered a goal as VfL Wolfsburg blanked visiting PSV Eindhoven 2-0.
AFP/Getty Images photos
Group B Standings:
1. VfL Wolfsburg (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. Manchester United (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
3. CSKA Moscow (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
4. PSV Eindhoven (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 3)
NOTE: Manchester United scored an away goal in their 1-1 road draw with CSKA Moscow in the first of two group-stage contests between the two clubs.
Eight games, two of them in Group A, were played on Wednesday as group-stage play in the UEFA Champions League reached the midway point.
At Malmo, Sweden:
Markus Rosenberg scored the only goal of Malmo FF's 1-0 road win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the 17th minute. Above, we see Shakhtar's Oscar Lewici (center) battle with the hosts' Johan Wiland (right).
At Paris:
Paris Saint-Germain and visiting Real Madrid battled to a 0-0 stalemate. Check out that look of frustration on Crisitano Ronaldo's face.
AFP/Getty Images photos
Group A Standings:
1. Real Madrid (GP: 3; GD: +6; PTS: 7)
2. Paris-Saint Germain (GP: 3; GD: +5; PTS: 7)
3. Malmo FF (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 3)
4. Shakhtar Donetsk (GP: 3; GD: -8; PTS: 0)
At Suita, Japan:
A 0-0 game-two stalemate on the road with Gamba Osaka was good enough on Wednesday for Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao as the Chinese club won their two-match series with the Japanese club 2-1 on aggregate.
The two-game Champions League final between Al-Ahli Dubai FC and Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao will open at Dubai, United Arab Emirates on November 7, with the return match set to take place at Guanghou, China on November 21.
The winner will then advance to December's FIFA Club World Cup, set to be staged in Japan.
