Malcom scores his first goal for Barca
With voting for the 2018 Ballon d'Or closing this week, Antoine Griezmann boosted his chances of lifting the most prestigious individual trophy in soccer with an inspired display and a goal in his 50th Champions League game on Tuesday.
Griezmann helped Atletico Madrid bounce back from a heavy loss to Borussia Dortmund with a 2-0 win over the German club, a result that sent last year's semifinalist Monaco crashing out.
Liverpool was handed a 2-0 shock loss at Red Star Belgrade while Barcelona, without Lionel Messi, drew 1-1 at Inter Milan in the evening's showcase match to become the first team to progress to the knockout stage this season.
Red Star's victory left Group C wide open after Napoli was held to a 1-1 home draw by Paris Saint-Germain, with all four teams still in contention in a very tight pool.
Griezmann, who has scored 10 goals in his last 10 home matches in the tournament, was set up by midfielder Thomas Partey and concluded the smooth counterattack with a soft touch from inside the area in the 80th minute after Saul Niguez had put the hosts ahead.
Dortmund and Atletico are atop Group A. Dortmund routed Atletico 4-0 last month at home in what was the Spanish team's worst loss under coach Diego Simeone.
Earlier, Monaco was handed a humiliating 4-0 defeat by Club Brugge that prematurely ended the club's Champions League ambitions as Thierry Henry once again failed to secure a first win as coach. It was Club Brugge's first group win in 13 years.
Hans Vanaken scored twice, Brazilian forward Wesley made it 3-0 and captain Ruud Vormer completed the rout. Monaco — which is winless in its last 15 matches — can't qualify for the knockout phase.
BARCELONA THROUGH
Barca were held by Inter after a later goal by Inter's Icardi
Without Messi, Barcelona was still the better team but failed to convert its chances at San Siro stadium.
Despite the draw, the Catalan team sealed its spot in the next round.
Messi had travelled with the team to Milan but Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde opted not to risk the star forward, who hasn't played since fracturing his arm last month. Substitute Malcom scored with seven minutes remaining but Mauro Icardi leveled in the 87th for the hosts.
Barcelona is top of Group B, three points ahead of Inter and six ahead of Tottenham, which beat PSV Eindhoven 2-1. Harry Kane scored two late goals for Tottenham, which looked in danger of exiting the competition after just four games when the hosts went behind after only 61 seconds at Wembley.
Instead, Kane's goals — in the 78th and 89th — gave the English team a glimmer of hope of a top-two finish.
(With AP Inputs)
