PARIS: Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic blasted a hat-trick as last year’s beaten finalists Atletico Madrid booked their place in the knock-out rounds of the Champions League with a 4-0 win over Olympiakos on Wednesday.

Juventus are in pole position to join the Spanish champions in qualifying from Group ‘A’ after goals from Spaniard Fernando Llorente and Argentina’s Carlos Tevez gave them a 2-0 win at Malmo, who are eliminated.

Arsenal also went through with a convincing 2-0 win against Borussia Dortmund thanks to another superb goal from Alexis Sanchez, reaching the last 16 for the 15th season in a row, while Bayer Leverkusen advanced despite a 1-0 home defeat to Monaco.

Elsewhere, Real Madrid, already qualified for the last-16, notched a 15th straight win as Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed his 71st Champions League goal in a 1-0 win at FC Basel, whilst Liverpool’s defensive woes surfaced again in a 2-2 away draw at Bulgarian side Ludogorets.

Five-time European champions Liverpool, who have four points, are two behind Basel in Group ‘B’ and host the Swiss side next.

Atletico secured a fourth straight victory since falling 3-2 to Olympiakos in their opening game in September and have 12 points from five matches, three ahead of second-placed Juventus.

After a typically intense start from the Spanish champions, Raul Garcia struck in the ninth minute following a howler from Olympiakos goalkeeper Roberto and another defensive error, this time from Roberto’s Spanish compatriot Alberto Botia, let in Mandzukic to tap home seven minutes before the break.

Mandzukic completed his hat-trick with two powerful headed finishes in three minutes just after the hour mark.

Victory for Juventus away to Malmo means Atletico just need to avoid defeat by two or more goals when they travel to Turin in two weeks’ time in order to top the group.

“We now have to face a very tough match against a great rival, but with the intention of going there and winning,” said Garcia.

After a scoreless first half in Malmo, Llorente broke the deadlock in the 49th minute as he picked up a long pass from Claudio Marchisio, rounded Malmo goalkeeper Robin Olsen and calmly slotted home. Tevez netted a late second in the 88th minute.

LONDON: Borussia Dortmund’s Roman Weidenfeller fails to prevent a goal during their Champions League match. —Reuters

“Against Atletico we need to play at our very best and win by two goals if we want to finish top of the group,” Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri told Mediaset. “But first and foremost, we have to secure our qualification.”

Olympiakos can still qualify in second place but must beat Malmo at home in two weeks time and hope Juve lose to Atletico in Italy.

Arsenal went ahead in the second minute at the Emirates Stadium through Yaya Sanogo and made it 2-0 after 57 minutes through Sanchez — the Chile forward curling the ball into the net after a neat one-two with Santi Cazorla.

Arsenal, who have 10 points, are two behind Dortmund in Group ‘D’ can still finish top if they win their last match at Galatasaray and Dortmund lose to Anderlecht, who, like Galatasaray are eliminated.

“I’m very proud of [qualifying for a 15th consecutive season] and the club deserves a lot of credit for that,” said Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger.

Two goals from Chancel Mbemba gave Anderlecht their first win of the group stage with a 2-0 success against Galatasaray that secured them the consolation place in the Europa League.

Title-holders Real continued their perfect record in this season’s competition with Ronaldo’s goal bringing him level with former Real great Raul Gonzalez, but three behind record-holder Lionel Messi of bitter rivals Barcelona.

The Portuguese superstar converted a Karim Benzema cutback 10 minutes before half-time at the St Jakob-Park for his 26th club goal in all competitions.

The result gave a boost to Liverpool’s chances of qualifying for the last 16 despite the English side being pegged back by a late Georgi Terziev leveller at Bulgarians Ludogorets.

“Overall I was very pleased with the performance,” Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, whose side must win at Anfield in two weeks time to ensure they progress, said. “We’re disappointed with the goal at the end but it’s irrelevant.”

Dani Abalo put Ludogorets ahead before Rickie Lambert’s equaliser five minutes later, the England striker’s first Champions League goal, and another before half-time from Jordan Henderson steadied Liverpool’s nerves.

Yet the home side refused to surrender and Terziev headed home with four minutes remaining.

In Group ‘C’, Monaco and Zenit St Petersburg are vying to qualify.

Leverkusen, who have nine points, were sure to advance because Zenit beat Benfica 1-0 in the earlier match thanks to a goal from Portuguese winger Danny.

Monaco have eight points and Zenit has seven. Substitute Lucas Ocampos got Monaco’s goal in the 72nd after good work from forward Dimitar Berbatov.

Leverkusen can ensure top spot in the group by winning away to Benfica, who are already out, in two weeks, while Zenit must beat Monaco to progress.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2014