Another entertaining night in Champions League ensued as 15 goals were scored in the 5 playoff matches. Each team played this evening trying to achieve the same goal; to reach the Champions League stages.

Basel 1-0 FC Sheriff – Basel will take a lead when they travel to Moldova next week. Basel were strong favourites in this fixture and will be slightly disappointed they didn’t win by more of a margin. The first half ended goalless as Sheriff frustrated the hosts. However, it took only 9 minutes for the home side to score, with a goal from Stocker. Erokhin was sent off for the away side with 5 minutes of the game to go, and then things got worse for the visitors as they gave away a penalty in the last minute. Unfortunately for Basel, they were unable to extend their lead from the spot and the match finished 1-0.

Braga 1-0 Sevilla – Sevilla were expected to go through, but now face a tough task as they lost the first leg in Braga. 62th minute strike from Matteus won the game for the home side to create one of the shocks of the night. Sevilla then pressured for an equaliser but the likes of Fabiano were unable to equalise on a frustrating night for the Spanish side. Sevilla will now need to turn the match around on home turf next week.

Partizan Belgrade 2-2 Anderlecht –  The visitors will be the happier of the two sides after this encounter as they managed to draw, whilst scoring two vital away goals. A crazy 15 minutes saw Anderlecht take the lead with a goal Gillet on 56 minutes. However two goals from Cleo and a bizarre own goal by Lecjaks put Partizan 2-1 up. It didn’t take the Belgium side to respond, as Juhasz equalised just one minute later. Anderlecht will now be favourites to progress.

RB Salzburg 2-3 Hapoel Tel Aviv –  An action packed match was enjoyed thoroughly more by the away side as they take a lead into the next leg, with 3 away goals. The Nigerian goalkeeper Enyeama unbelievably stepped up to score a penalty for the visitors with 3 minutes of the game gone.  Salzburg equalised with a fantastic strike on the 28th minute. However, the side from Israel took a 3-1 lead with goals from Ben Sahar and Shecter. Wallner pulled pack a goal for Salzburg from the penalty spot, as the game finished 3-2.  Hapoel Tel Aviv will be delighted with their performance, and the result to go with it.

Werder Bremen 3-1 Sampdoria –  The German side will be slight favourites going into the second leg with a 3-1 victory tonight; however it could have been better. The first goal came 5 minutes after the interval, as Fritz scored a thunderbolt to give Bremen the lead. Lucchini then fouled an opposition player as he was sent off for a second bookable offence, and a penalty was awarded. Frings made sure from the spot to give the hosts a 2-0 lead. The margin was extended as Pizzaro scored just two minutes later against 10 men. Being 3-0 down, Sampdoria’s chance of progression was looking bleak, however despite having 10 men, they pulled an away goal back with a header from Pazzini. The goal scored in the last minute will give them a slight chance next week in the return leg.