Senegal international, Sadio Mane, scored a brace as Liverpool defeated Bayern Munich 3-1 to advance to the UEFA Champions League, UCL, quarterfinal on Wednesday.
With both teams tied on aggregate after the barren draw in the first leg at Anfield, it was Liverpool who found the breakthrough when Mane had them in front before the half hour mark as he punished a bizarre error from goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, who was making his 100th appearance in the competition.
Joel Matip netted an own goal thereafter to cancel out Mane’s opener before Virgil Van Dijk and Mane added two more goals in the second half to seal their passage to the next round.
Mane continued the brilliant form that has seen him score eight times before the game against Bayern with another superb display for the Reds, putting in a man of the match performance for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
His two excellent finishes in either half helping Liverpool to a 3-1 aggregate victory over the Bavarians.
The win sees Liverpool become just the second team to win in the UCL at the Allianz Arena in the past five seasons, and for the first time [and third time ever] since the 2008/2009 season, four English sides have progressed beyond the round of 16.
Messi on Target as Barca survive Lyon Scare
Messi also netted a brace in the other game on the night as Barcelona survived a scare from French outfit, Lyon, to book their place in the quarterfinal with a convincing 5-1 win at Camp Nou.
Messi scored twice and assisted two others as Barcelona secured their place in the quarterfinal with a 5-1 aggregate result.
Like the game in Germany, the first leg between Barcelona and Lyon in France also ended goalless but there will no repeat of such scoreline in Spain as goals from Messi, who netted from the spot, and Philippe Coutinho, had the home side comfortably 2-0 ahead at the break.
However, Lucas Touscart gave Lyon hope when he pulled one goal back just before the hour mark, but it would be nothing but a consolation as Barcelona, inspired by Messi, added three more goals.
Messi restored Barca’s two goal cushion with 12 minutes left to play before turning provider for Gerard Pique and second half substitute, Ousmane Dembele, to complete the rout.
