Juventus, Newcastle United, and Chelsea all secured important victories on Champions League Matchday 7, while Athletic Club produced a stunning comeback to defeat Atalanta and Atlético Madrid were held to a draw in Istanbul. Here is a comprehensive roundup of Wednesday's remaining fixtures as the league phase approaches its conclusion.
Juventus delivered a commanding performance at the Allianz Stadium to defeat Benfica 2-0 and strengthen their position in the top eight. The Bianconeri controlled proceedings from start to finish, with goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Timothy Weah securing the three points. The result leaves Thiago Motta's side well-placed to advance directly to the round of 16 without requiring a playoff.
Newcastle United continued their impressive European campaign with a comprehensive 3-0 demolition of PSV Eindhoven at St James' Park. Alexander Isak opened the scoring before Bruno Guimarães doubled the advantage from the penalty spot. Anthony Gordon completed the rout with a fine individual effort, as the Magpies moved into the qualification places with one match remaining.
Chelsea ground out a narrow 1-0 victory over Cypriot side Pafos at Stamford Bridge, with Nicolas Jackson's first-half strike proving the difference. While the performance lacked sparkle, Enzo Maresca's team secured vital points that keep them firmly in contention for automatic qualification. The Blues will travel to their final league phase match knowing their fate remains in their own hands.
Athletic Club produced the shock result of the evening with a remarkable 3-2 comeback victory over Atalanta in Bergamo. The Italian side led 2-0 before the Basque club mounted an extraordinary fightback, scoring three times in the final 25 minutes to snatch all three points. The dramatic turnaround dealt a significant blow to Atalanta's hopes of finishing in the top eight.
Galatasaray and Atlético Madrid played out a tense 1-1 draw at the Rams Park in Istanbul. The Turkish champions took the lead through Mauro Icardi, but Antoine Griezmann equalized for the Spanish side with a clinical finish. Both teams remain in the hunt for qualification, though neither can afford to drop points in their final fixtures.
In the evening's other match, Qarabağ pulled off a surprise 3-2 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in Azerbaijan. The home side overcame the German opposition despite being considered heavy underdogs, securing a rare victory in their Champions League campaign. Frankfurt's defeat complicates their path to the knockout rounds.
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