In Manchester, England, Harvey Elliott delivered a sensational moment for Liverpool by scoring a goal minutes after being substituted onto the field, securing a dramatic 1-0 victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round of 16’s first leg.
Liverpool, who have been dominating the Premier League, managed to withstand relentless attacks from PSG at Parc des Princes, maintaining a 0-0 score until the late stages of the match. Elliott replaced Mohamed Salah in the 86th minute and became an unexpected savior by netting a low shot into the corner with his first touch.
Liverpool’s coach acknowledged post-match that the victory might have been more than they truly deserved, crediting goalkeeper Alisson’s spectacular saves in a PSG-dominated game. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich positioned themselves well for the quarterfinals with a 3-0 triumph over Bayer Leverkusen, and a 10-man Barcelona edged out Benfica 1-0. Inter Milan also claimed a 2-0 victory at Feyenoord.
PSG, despite generating numerous scoring opportunities, couldn’t find a way past Alisson. New signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia shone, repeatedly challenging the Brazilian goalkeeper, who described it as potentially the best performance of his life after thwarting efforts from Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue. A disallowed goal from Kvaratskhelia by VAR was the closest PSG got on the score sheet. PSG coach Luis Enrique reflected on the match with disappointment, acknowledging their dominance yet missed opportunities.
The defeat marked PSG’s first loss in 23 games across all competitions. Among the spectators was David Beckham, witnessing the French giants, despite their star-studded line-up, still chasing their first Champions League title. Liverpool, in contrast, showcased their European expertise, absorbing pressure and striking at the opportune moment, thanks to a timely substitution. Salah’s earlier substitution paved the way for Elliott’s critical contribution.
In other notable performances, Lautaro Martinez achieved a significant milestone, becoming Inter Milan’s all-time leading scorer in the Champions League. His 18th goal in the competition cemented his status, overtaking club legend Sandro Mazzola, with his latest contribution helping secure Inter’s lead in their match.
Barcelona’s Raphinha once again proved decisive, securing a victory against Benfica despite the team being down to 10 men following a red card for Pau Cubarsi. Raphinha capitalized on a defensive mistake, sealing the victory with a precise shot from outside the area.
Bayern Munich was resolute in their win over Leverkussen, advancing significantly toward the quarterfinals with a 3-0 result. The team capitalized on Leverkusen’s defensive errors, with Harry Kane breaking his goal drought by scoring twice and Jamal Musiala capitalizing on another defensive blunder. Kane’s performance included a record-extending penalty, marking his 30th consecutive success from the spot. Bayern’s win was their first over a Leverkusen squad led by their former player, Xabi Alonso.
