Liverpool have marched into the Champions League knockout stages with two games to spare, after a convincing 2-0 victory over 10-man Atletico Madrid at Anfield guaranteed them top spot in Group B.
In the 13th minute, Diogo Jota put Juergen Klopp's side ahead, nodding home at the back post, after a great cross from the right by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Eight minutes later, Alexander-Arnold was again the provider, when his low ball into the box was brilliantly met by Sadio Mane, who fired past Jan Oblak.
The Spanish side's troubles intensified, after Felipe was sent off in the 36th minute for a deliberate trip on Mane that earned him a straight red.
Shortly after the interval, Jota thought he had his second and Liverpool's third, but the goal was ruled out for offside, after a video review.
Former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez also had a deflected effort that beat Alisson Becker, but was ruled out by video for offside.
Meanwhile, Manchester City are back to winning ways with a 4-1 victory over Brugge to move within sight of the knockout rounds.
In the end, goals by Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus earned a comfortable enough victory to leave City top of Group A with nine points, but after John Stones' own goal gave Brugge an early equaliser, there were periods when City looked uncomfortable.
The Belgians had several decent opportunities, before Mahrez headed Guardiola's side back in front in the 54th minute. Sterling gave City breathing space with a tap-in after 72 minutes and the hosts were able to coast home.
Substitute Jesus gave the scoreline an emphatic look, as he added the fourth with the last kick of the game.
In other action, Georginio Wijnaldum scored his first two goals for new club Paris St Germain, but a stoppage-time penalty for RB Leipzig rescued a 2-2 draw in their Group A game.
The Dutchman, who has struggled since joining from Liverpool, struck in the 21st minute and headed in another goal six minutes before halftime.
Eliminated from competition with just one point from four matches, Leipzig took the lead through Christopher Nkunku in the eighth minute and missed the chance to double it, when Andre Silva's 12th-minute penalty was saved.
But in second-half stoppage time, substitute Dominik Szoboszlai did better from the spot to rescue a point for the Germans.
A ruthless second-half performance has earned Inter Milan a 3-1 away win over Sheriff Tiraspol, lifting them above the Moldovans into second place in Group D.
Inter were left frustrated, as they mustered 14 attempts to no avail before the break, but the competition debutants' resistance eventually broke, when Marcelo Brozovic fired home early in the second half.
Milan Skriniar doubled the Nerazzurri's lead, before substitute Alexis Sanchez powered home a third within a minute of his introduction and Adama Traore headed in a stoppage-time consolation for Sheriff.
In other results, Milan drew 1-1 with Porto, Real Madrid beat Shakthar Donetsk 2-1, Sporting overcame Besiktas 4-1, and Ajax sank Dortmund 3-1.
Reuters.
