Liverpool Cruise in Marseille as Bayern Munich Secure Champions League Last-16 Spot

Liverpool recorded a comfortable 3-0 victory away to Marseille on Wednesday night in the UEFA Champions League, while Harry Kane’s brace guided Bayern Munich to a 2-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise, sealing qualification for the last 16 for the German champions.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool extended their unbeaten run to 13 matches in all competitions, recovering impressively since their heavy 4-1 home defeat by PSV Eindhoven in November. Mohamed Salah made his first appearance for the club since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, though the goals came from elsewhere.

The breakthrough arrived just before half-time when Dominik Szoboszlai cleverly sent a free-kick beneath the jumping wall.

“I did my homework,” the Hungarian explained. “I was told that if no one lies down, you can go under the wall. I tried it and it worked.”

Marseille threatened briefly when Hugo Ekitike struck the crossbar, but Liverpool doubled their advantage on 72 minutes in fortuitous fashion as Jeremie Frimpong’s cross deflected off goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli and into the net.

Substitute Cody Gakpo wrapped up the win in stoppage time, leaving Liverpool fourth in the 36-team standings and well placed to secure a last-16 berth with victory over Qarabag next week.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich joined Arsenal in guaranteeing a top-eight finish and automatic qualification for the knockout phase. Kane opened the scoring early in the second half with a header before winning and converting a penalty five minutes later.

The evening was complicated by Kim Min-jae’s dismissal, and Kane later missed the chance to complete a hat-trick when his second penalty struck the woodwork. Nevertheless, the England captain now boasts seven goals in seven Champions League appearances this season and 34 in all competitions.

“We scored at the right times,” Kane told DAZN. “The red card was unfortunate, but even with 10 men we controlled the game and deserved the three points.”

Newcastle, Chelsea and Barcelona Also Impress

Newcastle United were dominant at St James’ Park, beating PSV Eindhoven 3-0. Yoane Wissa struck early, Anthony Gordon doubled the lead on the half-hour, and Harvey Barnes sealed the win in the second half. Eddie Howe’s side sit inside the top eight ahead of a daunting final group match away to holders Paris Saint-Germain.

Chelsea edged past Cypriot side Pafos 1-0 at Stamford Bridge thanks to a late Moisés Caicedo header, handing new head coach Liam Rosenior a winning start in his first Champions League match. The result leaves Chelsea eighth in the standings.

Barcelona remain firmly in the hunt for automatic qualification after coming from behind to defeat Slavia Prague 4-2. The Czech side opened the scoring through Vasil Kušej, but Fermín López struck twice for Barça. An unfortunate Robert Lewandowski own goal made it 2-2 at the break, before Dani Olmo restored the lead and Lewandowski redeemed himself with his first Champions League goal of the season.

Atlético Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw away at Galatasaray, with Giuliano Simeone scoring early before a Marcos Llorente own goal levelled matters.

Atalanta’s hopes of a top-eight finish suffered a blow as they lost 3-2 at home to Athletic Bilbao. Gianluca Scamacca opened the scoring, but goals from Gorka Guruzeta, Nico Serrano and Robert Navarro turned the contest before Nikola Krstović pulled one back late on.

Juventus continued their revival with a third consecutive Champions League victory, beating Benfica 2-0 courtesy of second-half strikes from Khéphren Thuram and Weston McKennie. Vangelis Pavlidis missed a penalty for Benfica, leaving José Mourinho’s side on the brink of elimination.

Surprise contenders Qarabag boosted their play-off ambitions with a dramatic 3-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in Baku. Camilo Durán scored twice, with Can Uzun and Fares Chaïbi replying for the visitors, before Bahlul Mustafazade struck a stoppage-time winner.

All 18 fixtures in the final round of the league phase will be played simultaneously next Wednesday, 28 January.