Champions League fans see record-smashing 4th matches

By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA

The last round of Champions League matches was a record-breaking affair as Europe’s elite footballers chalked up a number of successes.

For Besiktas, Cenk Tosun’s penalty against Monaco made him the Istanbul club’s top scorer in the competition with five goals, surpassing Oktay Derelioglu on four.

It was Tosun’s fourth in this year’s campaign, making him the competition’s third highest scorer after Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo (6) and Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane (5).

The 1-1 home draw consolidated Besiktas grip on the top spot in Group G with 10 points and extended their unbeaten home run in Europe to 11 matches, another club record.

Holders Real Madrid to north London on Wednesday night to face Tottenham.

A 3-1 defeat at Tottenham’s temporary home, Wembley stadium, was the Spanish side’s worst Champions League group stage defeat since when they were beaten by Juventus.

The victory placed Tottenham at the top of Group H with 10 points thanks to a brace from Dele Alli and a goal from Christian Eriksen.

On Tuesday, French champions Paris Saint-Germain beat Anderlecht 5-0 to secure their spot in the next stage.

Victory over the Belgian side in Paris took PSG’s goal tally to 17 without reply -- a Champions League record after four games. Manchester United scored 16 in 1998 before going on to win the title.

PSG full-back Layvin Kurzawa notched up a personal record, becoming the first defender to get a Champions League hat-trick. Neymar became the 5th Brazilian in the competition’s history to score 25 goals.

In Naples, the prolific Sergio Aguero became Manchester City’s greatest ever scorer as he made his mark against Napoli, his 178th goal for the club.

City secured a place in the next round by defeating Napoli 4-2, their fourth victory in Group F.

In northwest England, City’s rivals Manchester United beat Benfica 2-0 score to also lead their group on 12 points.

It was 37th consecutive undefeated home match for United and manager Jose Mourinho stands a game away from matching Alex Ferguson’s 1998-2000 record.