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On Tuesday, the UEFA Champions League round of 16 stage began.
No major problems arose for defending champions Barcelona, who defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 away and took a big step towards the top eight.
The visitors took the lead in the 41st minute, when Alexis Sanchez jumped out after a sharp pass and placed the ball into the net, scoring his first goal in the most prestigious European tournament in his career, but just after the break Michalis Kadlecas restored the balance with a header.
However, Barcelona, who controlled the ball 78% of the time in the first half, did not give up the initiative and achieved their goal: in the 55th minute Alexis scored his second goal and the team's, and in the 89th minute, Argentinian Lionel Messi doubled the lead with his seventh goal of the season after a brilliant combination.
Meanwhile, Lyon achieved a narrow 1-0 victory against the surprising APOEL team from Nicosia, Cyprus, who made it to the knockout stage.
The hosts clearly dominated, but could not convert it into goals. The only goal of the match in the second half was scored by Alexandre Lacazette.
The winners of these ties will be determined on March 7, when the return matches will be played in Nicosia and Barcelona.
Results:
Bayer Leverkusen 1 - 3 Barcelona 41' [0 - 1] A.Sanchez 52' [1 - 1] M.Kadlec 55' [1 - 2] A.Sanchez 89' [1 - 3] L.Messi
Key moments:
Detailed overview:
Lyon 1 - 0 APOEL Nicosia 58' [1 - 0] A.Lacazette
