Beşiktaş made to wait for last-16 place
ISTANBUL
Turkish champion Beşiktaş missed a chance to secure its place in the last 16 of the Champions League as it drew 1-1 with Monaco in Istanbul late on Nov. 1.
The home side needed a penalty from Cenk Tosun in the second half to earn a point after Rony Lopes had given Monaco the lead just prior to the interval.
“We lost the chance to be qualified in the last game last season,” said a cautious Beşiktaş coach Şenol Güneş after the game.
“Now we are a better position. But we do not lean on that. We will do our work.”
Beşiktaş, which had won its opening three games in Group G, would have been confirmed qualifiers for the knockout phase with a victory at its Vodafone Park.
But the draw could still see them through with two matches to spare.
The Turkish champion now hopes for a draw at home to second-placed Porto to qualify next time out.
Porto beat RB Leipzig 3-1 in Portugal, with Hector Herrera, Danilo Pereira and Maxi Pereira scoring their goals as Timo Werner replied for the Germans.
Meanwhile, having thrilled Europe on their run to the semi-finals last season, Monaco - without the injured Radamel Falcao - moved closer to an early exit.
The principality side remain bottom of the group with just two points from four games.
Monaco acquitted itself very well in a cauldron-like atmosphere and also had to cope with losing French international winger Thomas Lemar to a shoulder injury within 26 minutes.
They went ahead in stoppage time at the end of the first half when Joao Moutinho intercepted an Adriano Correia pass and fed Lopes, who took a touch before curling a left-foot shot into the net from 20 yards.
But Beşiktaş were gifted the chance to draw level seven minutes after the restart as Jorge brought down Ricardo Quaresma in the box and Cenk Tosun, the Turkish international striker, scored the resulting spot-kick.
Both sides had chances to win it after that, with Keita Balde squandering a golden opportunity for the visitors in added time.
Sergio Aguero became Manchester City’s all-time record scorer and was described as “a legend” by coach Pep Guardiola whose side booked their place in the Champions League last-16 with a 4-2 win at Napoli on Nov. 1.
The 29-year-old Argentine beat the old mark of 177 set by Eric Brook during the 1930s when he netted City’s third goal in Naples after 69 minutes.
“What he has achieved has made him a legend, he’s gone down in history, so I would tell him to enjoy,” said Guardiola.
The Premier League leader had needed just a point to seal their berth in the knockout rounds for the fifth consecutive year, with two games to go.
But City’s fourth victory out of four in Group F confirmed their progress with 12 points.
Napoli is third, six points behind Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk, which beat Dutch side Feyenoord 3-1, and is close to elimination from the elite European competition.
Brilliant Tottenham Hotspur took Real Madrid apart in a 3-1 win over the reigning champions on Nov. 1 as it clinched its place in the Champions League last 16 along with Manchester City.
A win at APOEL later this month will do for the 12-time champions to qualify after the Cypriot side held Borussia Dortmund 1-1 in Germany.
Meanwhile Liverpool moved clear at the top of Group E with a comfortable 3-0 win over Maribor at Anfield.
There would be no repeat of their 7-0 romp in the reverse fixture in Slovenia as the Reds had to wait until the 49th minute for Mohamed Salah to give them the lead.
James Milner then saw his penalty tipped onto the post but he set up Emre Can to double Liverpool’s lead before substitute Daniel Sturridge completed the scoring.
Liverpool are a point clear of Sevilla, who beat Spartak Moscow 2-1 in Spain, Clement Lenglet and Ever Banega with their goals before Ze Luis pulled one back.
