Champions League round-up: The star men from Tuesday's action

 

AEK Athens 0-2 Ajax - Dusan Tadic - 8.52 rating

 

Ajax secured their name in the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time in 13 years after overcoming AEK Athens 2-0 in a game tainted by the behaviour of supporters before and during the game. Dusan Tadic scored both of Ajax’s goals in a four-minute period, opening the scoring from the penalty spot before latching onto Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s assist for the second. Tadic, 30, scored with both shots on target and also registered three key passes for the away side.

 

CSKA Moscow 1-2 Viktoria Plzen - Patrik Hrosovsky - 7.74 rating

 

CSKA Moscow blew their opportunity to apply some early pressure on group rivals Roma and Real Madrid by slipping to a shock home defeat to Viktoria Plzen. The away side came from behind to secure their first win of the group stage campaign and defensive midfielder Patrik Hrosovsky was key, providing the assist for the match winner. The 26-year-old excelled defensively, completing six tackles, one interception and four clearances.

 

Roma 0-2 Real Madrid - Karim Benzema - 8.22 rating

 

Real Madrid made Cengiz Under pay for his remarkable first half miss to run out 2-0 winners thanks to second half goals from Gareth Bale and Lucas Vazquez. However, it was Karim Benzema that came away with the WhoScored Man of the Match award after supplying the assist for Madrid’s clincher. Benzema hit the target with both shots, registered two key passes in total and completed four dribbles.

 

Manchester United 1-0 Young Boys - Marouane Fellaini - 7.98 rating

 

It looked like Manchester United were heading for a disastrous point until Marouane Fellaini popped up with a superbly taken stoppage time winner. It was only United’s fourth shot on target in the match but it proved decisive and booked their place in the next round. The 31-year-old won five aerial duels, provided three key passes and won four fouls to help Jose Mourinho’s side over the line.

 

 

Juventus 1-0 Valencia - Mario Mandzukic - 8.22 rating

 

Mario Manduzkic’s terrific goalscoring run continued against Valencia, as the former Croatia international notched the only goal of the game. Mandzukic hit the target with two of his three shots and won three aerial duels in total. Impressively, however, the 32-year-old completed more tackles (5) than any other player on display and also made two interceptions.

 

Bayern Munich 5-1 Benfica - Robert Lewandowski - 9.21 rating

 

Robert Lewandowski surpassed 50 Champions League goals with a two-goal salvo against Benfica at the Allianz Arena. The 30-year-old hit the target with three of his four shots on target, won three aerial duels and completed 91.3% of his passes.

 

Lyon 2-2 Manchester City - Maxwel Cornet - 9.46 rating

 

Maxwel Cornet has barely got a look in for Lyon this season but now has three goals in two Champions League matches against Manchester City this season after scoring a brace on Tuesday night, including a spectacular opener from distance. The 22-year-old had six shots in total, registered two key passes and was denied by the woodwork. The Ivorian forward also completed three dribbles and drew two fouls to help Lyon earn a point against the Premier League leaders.

 

Hoffenheim 2-3 Shakhtar Donetsk - Taison - 9.91 rating

 

Shakhtar Donetsk stunned Hoffenheim in Germany courtesy of an inspired performance from 30-year-old Taison. The Brazilian played a direct hand in all three goals for the away side, scoring twice and providing an assist. Taison was also denied by the woodwork during a sensational performance to give Shakhtar a real chance of finishing second in Group F ahead of their final group game against Lyon, who are two points above them.

Champions League round-up: The star men from Tuesday's action