SERGIO RAMOS SAVOURED the “uncomfortable” three points claimed by Real Madrid in their 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, which secured a place in the Champions League knockout phase.
Madrid were outplayed for much of the match by PSG, who peppered the hosts’ goal with efforts either side of Nacho’s winning strike 35 minutes into the first half.
Ramos admitted the performance may have been unconvincing but he preferred to focus on the result. “We have achieved three points against a very important rival,” the centre-back told reporters. “[But] we did not play well today.
Shakhtar Donetsk kept their slim Champions League last-16 hopes alive by thumping Malmo 4-0 to record a first win in Group A.
After half an hour of constant pressure from the hosts – who are four points behind second-placed Paris Saint-Germain with two games remaining – in L’viv, Olexandr Gladkiy opened the scoring, forcing in the rebound after Malmo goalkeeper Johan Wiland saved his initial header.
Shakhtar were utterly rampant and Darijo Srna added a second from the penalty spot shortly after half-time when Alex Teixeira was fouled by Kari Arnason, before Eduardo scored the third.
Teixeira himself added the fourth to cap a dominant individual display, heading into an open goal after Wiland had saved from Marcio Azevedo with his legs.
Arnason then compounded a disappointing evening for Malmo when he was sent off in the last minute.
Victory stopped the rot for Shakhtar, who had lost all three of their previous group games, but they face a tough task if they are to overhaul PSG, with matches against the Ligue 1 champions and Real Madrid to come.
Jurgen Locadia and Luuk de Jong scored the goals to fire PSV to a crucial 2-0 Champions League win over Wolfsburg in Eindhoven.
Phillip Cocu’s men had a number of chances to open the scoring before the break but Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio proved too much of an obstacle. There was to be no denying Locadia in the 55th minute, though, with the forward coolly finishing after being set up by De Jong.
De Jong turned finisher in the closing stages with a fine lob over Benaglio to secure the points.
Tuesday’s result sees PSV move level on points with Wolfsburg in Group B, both sides on six points from four games, a point behind leaders Manchester United.
Benfica moved into pole position in Group C with a 2-1 victory over Galatasaray at the Estadio da Luz, despite going down to 10 men late on.
Following a defeat by the same scoreline to Hamza Hamzaoglu’s men on matchday three, Rui Vitoria’s side were level with Atletico Madrid heading into Tuesday’s fixtures.
With the Spanish outfit drawing at Astana earlier in the day, the Portuguese side knew that a win would send them two points clear at the top.
After a frustrating first half, Benfica deservedly took the lead through Jonas in the 52nd minute, only to see Lukas Podolski level with a clinical finish six minutes later.
