Champions League: English teams dominate as Barca also wins
Newcastle blew PSG away as UEFA Champions League football returned to St James' Park while Manchester City and Barcelona had to dig deep for victories as the drama continued to the end of Matchday 2.
Spain striker Álvaro Morata struck two as Diego Simeone's men twice came from behind to record their first win in seven Champions League outings. Atleti were made to work extremely hard by an enterprising Feyenoord outfit, but their star strikers and the excellence of Jan Oblak saw them through. Morata cancelled out Mario Hermoso's early own goal and, though Dávid Hancko restored the visitors' lead, Antoine Griezmann's acrobatic effort just before the break and Morata's tap-in soon after secured the points.
In Scotland, Pedro Rodríguez clinched a dramatic comeback victory for Lazio in Glasgow. The hosts went ahead through Kyogo Furuhashi but the Italian side fought back and equalised before the interval when Matías Vecino's header crept over the line. Celtic pushed for the game's winner in the second half with Reo Hatate's well-worked effort denied and Luis Palma's strike ruled out for offside, but it was Lazio veteran Pedro who sealed the victory with a last-gasp header.
Milan registered a second successive goalless draw after they and Dortmund cancelled each other out. Clear-cut chances were at a premium with Donyell Malen firing two wide before Mike Maignan thwarted Niclas Füllkrug and Ramy Bensebaini. After half-time, Christian Pulišić shot straight at Gregor Kobel and although Dortmund continued to push, it was Milan who almost nicked the win late on when Samuel Chukwueze was denied by Kobel and Tijjani Reijnders clipped the rebound wide.
Newcastle's first group stage home game in more than two decades was worth the wait as they won a fascinating encounter with Paris. Miguel Almirón's early opener, after Alexander Isak had been denied, was followed up when Dan Burn's fierce header crossed the line. Sean Longstaff made it three after the restart from a tight angle and, while Lucas Hernández pulled one back, Fabian Schär's screamer rounded off a fine victory.
Late goals by substitutes Julián Álvarez and Jérémy Doku separated two even sides. City's first-half dominance had earned only a one-goal lead, Phil Foden finishing first time from Rico Lewis's cut-back. Loïs Openda's composed finish on the break levelled the scores and Leipzig asserted themselves throughout the second half, only to face late heartbreak. Álvarez beat Janis Blaswich with six minutes left, and
Doku finished off an added-time counterattack.
And finally, Barcelona secured the win and leadership of Group H. The hosts dominated for large periods but could not find a way past Marc-André ter Stegen while Jules Koundé and Ronald Araújo produced vital challenges. The only goal came on the break in first-half added time, Ilkay Gündoğan latching onto a loose pass before playing in substitute Ferran Torres to slot the only goal. Gavi was sent off in the dying seconds after collecting a second booking.
