Maccabi Haifa won their first Champions League game in 20 years when Omer Atzili’s double helped the Israeli side beat Juventus 2-0 in their group game at a rocking Sammy Ofer Stadium on Tuesday.
Haifa had the perfect start, taking the lead in the seventh minute when winger Atzili headed home Pierre Cornud’s cross, which left Juve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny scrambling on the goal line as he failed to keep the ball out.Five minutes later Tjaronn Chery’s free-kick came off the bar before Szczesny was forced into another diving save from long range as Juve struggled to impose themselves on a team they beat 3-1 in the reverse fixture.
Meanwhile Manchester City rested Erling Haaland, failed to score and had Sergio Gomez sent off in a frustrating VAR-dominated goalless draw with Copenhagen in Denmark.
Rodri also had a goal disallowed and Riyad Mahrez missed a penalty after referee Artur Dias made repeated visits to the pitchside monitor at a raucous Parken Stadium.
The stalemate still all but guaranteed City’s place in the last 16 of the Champions League for another year – but it was not a night that will live long in the memory.
Pep Guardiola’s side remain top of Group G on 10 points and will qualify for the knockout stage later on Tuesday if Sevilla fail to beat Borussia Dortmund. Copenhagen remain bottom on one point.
