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Uefa Champions League
SportFootball

Barcelona and Chelsea reach last 16 of Uefa Champions League while Atletico Madrid earn a lifeline

Barca coach Ernesto Valverde rests Argentina star Lionel Messi in Turin

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Paris Saint-Germain ran riot in a 7-1 blitzing of Celtic. Photo: Xinhua
Agence France-Presse
Barcelona and Chelsea progressed to the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday, while Atletico Madrid battled to a crucial win, which hands them a slim chance of staying in the competition.

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde rested Argentina star Lionel Messi in Turin, later introducing him as a second-half substitute as a 0-0 draw against Juventus sent the five-time European champions through as winners of group D.

Willian scored twice and won a pair of penalties as Chelsea thrashed 10-man Qarabag 4-0 in Baku to guarantee Antonio Conte’s side a top-two finish in group C.
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (L) and Paulinho leave the pitch at the end of the stalemate with Juventus. Photo: AFP
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (L) and Paulinho leave the pitch at the end of the stalemate with Juventus. Photo: AFP
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First-half goals from Eden Hazard and Willian put Chelsea in control, with Cesc Fabregas adding a third before Willian netted again to cap the rout and knock Qarabag out of the competition.

“We did everything well. We should have scored more. It is easy to play with these good players,” Hazard said.

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Atletico Madrid, runners-up twice in the past four years, retained an outside chance of pipping Roma to a place in the knockout stage as Antoine Griezmann snapped an eight-match goal drought in a 2-0 win in Spain.

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