Liverpool, Ajax cruise into Champions League knock-out rounds

GENEVA (AP):

Liverpool and Ajax extended their perfect winning records in the Champions League today to advance into the round of 16 — which is starting to take a 1970s throwback look.

Liverpool cruised past Atlético Madrid 2-0 at Anfield and Ajax hit 10-man Borussia Dortmund with late goals in a 3-1 come-from-behind win in Germany.

The four teams with four straight wins — after Bayern Munich and Juventus sealed their places on Tuesday — have already given the knock-out line-up a nostalgic feel. Ajax, Bayern and Liverpool combined to win all eight European Cup titles from 1971-78.

Liverpool had never opened a Champions League group stage with four wins, though they were rarely troubled against Atlético in Group B after Diogo Jota and Sadio Mané scored in the first 21 minutes. Atlético dropped to third in the group behind Porto, who were held to a 1-1 draw at last-place AC Milan.

Ajax are having a stand-out Champions League campaign after being ignored by the Super League founders from England, Italy and Spain, when they lined up their ill-fated project several months ago.

The Dutch champions made it back-to-back big wins over Dortmund, whoh had veteran defender Mats Hummels sent off in the first half.

Second-place Dortmund trail Ajax by six points in Group C with two rounds left. Dortmund are level on points with Sporting Lisbon, who routed Beşiktaş 4-0 and hosts the German side next on November 24.

Real Madrid and Inter Milan — two of the 12 Super League clubs — have taken control of Group D from upstart Sheriff after important wins Wednesday.

Karim Benzema's goals ensured Madrid beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 and lead the standings by two points from Inter. The Italian champions made it two straight wins over Sheriff, 3-1 away to the champions of Moldova.

Manchester City overpowered Club Brugge 4-1 and were rewarded with top spot in Group A after late drama at Leipzig where Paris Saint-Germain drew 2-2.

A PSG team missing the injured Lionel Messi rallied from an early Leipzig surge to lead at half-time through two goals by Georgino Wijnaldum. But PSG dropped points after a stoppage-time penalty by Leipzig substitute Dominik Szoboszlai.

City took a one-point lead over PSG before they meet in Manchester in three weeks' time.

ALEXANDER-ARNOLD ASSISTS

Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold typically creates as many scoring chances in a season as a playmaker wearing No. 10.

His precision passes into the heart of the goalmouth carved open Atlético Madrid's defence to set up Jota and Mané for simply taken goals.

They ensured Liverpool will be seeded as a group winners in the round of 16 draw on December 13. The 2019 champions are seven points clear of second-placed Porto.

Atlético's loss ensured seven-time European champions AC Milan can still advance as group runner-up despite taking only its first point Wednesday.

A 1-1 draw with Porto at San Siro ended with 40-year-old Milan substitute Zlatan Ibrahimović being marked by 38-year-old Pepe. Ibrahimović had a goal disallowed in the closing minutes because a teammate was offside.

Atlético host Milan in three weeks' time when Liverpool welcomes Porto.