Mohamed Salah hits 50th European goal for Liverpool while Barcelona edge thriller against Benfica

Win over Lille clinches last-16 spot for Arne Slot’s side and Catalan giants join them after winning nine-goal tussle

Mohamed Salah was on target as Liverpool beat Lille to secure safe passage to the last 16 of the Uefa Champions League. Getty Images

Liverpool boss Arne Slot paid tribute to "special" Mohamed Salah after the Egyptian reached 50 European goals for the club in their 2-1 Uefa Champions League win over Lille on Tuesday night.

The result extended Liverpool's 100 per cent record in the group phase to seven matches and looked like giving them an insurmountable lead at the top of the table to render next week’s trip to PSV Eindhoven academic.

However, second-placed Barcelona’s thrilling 5-4 comeback win over Benfica means Slot’s side have to get a point in his homeland to guarantee top spot.

Lille arrived at Anfield unbeaten in 21 games in all competitions and restricted Liverpool in the opening exchanges. Salah's opener arrived on 34 minutes when he collected Curtis Jones' through ball and finished over the advancing Lucas Chevalier.

He then sent a one-on-one wide of the target before curling beyond the far post in the second half.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men when Aissa Mandi was given a second yellow card for tripping Luis Diaz. His first was for complaining about a possible foul on Jonathan David in the build-up to the goal.

Lille equalised three minutes later when David followed up after Hakon Haraldsson's effort was blocked. Liverpool soon restored their lead when a corner was headed to Harvey Elliott who fired a deflected strike into the bottom corner.

Salah's goal made him the first to reach a half century of European goals for the club, and his manager Slot said: “Special, that is the word to describe Mo’s performance at this club, he has been outstanding at this club for so many years. Today a great goal. When Mo goes on a one-v-one there is a great chance he will score.

“But this goal tells you so much about the work rate of the players who won the ball back before Curtis [Jones] passes to Mo.”

Barca roar back against Benfica

Raphinha struck a dramatic winner in stoppage time as Barcelona came from behind to beat Benfica 5-4 in a wild match to reach the last 16.

Benfica were leading 4-2 with under 15 minutes remaining but Barcelona mounted a stunning late comeback to stay three points behind leaders Liverpool.

Vangelis Pavlidis hit a first-half hat-trick for the hosts, in part thanks to two big errors by Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. However, Robert Lewandowski's double from the penalty spot, Eric Garcia's header and a brace for Raphinha helped Barcelona claim a stunning last-gasp triumph in Lisbon. The final two goals came beyond the 86th minute.

"It was a crazy game. Benfica did well in the first half but we made a lot of mistakes," said Barcelona coach Hansi Flick.

Barca showed determination to keep fighting after going in 3-1 down at half time and quickly conceding again after Raphinha pulled one back.

"The mentality of the team, they always believe in themselves and this was unbelievable to see," said Flick. "In the second half we created more chances than them and we deserved it."

Atletico and Atalanta claim important wins

Atletico Madrid are third on 15 points and certain to at least be in the play-offs after a Julian Alvarez brace secured a 2-1 home victory over Bayer Leverkusen in a game where both teams finished with 10 men.

Atletico had Pablo Barrios sent off midway through the first half, and Piero Hincapie then put Leverkusen ahead just before the break. Argentina star Alvarez levelled seven minutes into the second half, and Hincapie was sent off for the Germans before another Alvarez goal won it for the home side in the last minute as they climbed above Leverkusen.

Last season's Europa League winners Atalanta are also assured of at least a play-off place after crushing Sturm Graz of Austria 5-0. Mateo Retegui, Mario Pasalic, Charles De Ketelaere, Ademola Lookman and Marco Brescianini all scored for the Italians.

Monaco got back to winning ways after some disappointing results had seen their campaign stall, as Wilfried Singo's early goal proved enough for them to beat Aston Villa 1-0. Both teams are set to progress to the knockout phase and both could still finish in the top eight.

Last season's runners-up Borussia Dortmund should also progress despite a 2-1 defeat away to Bologna, as substitutes Thijs Dallinga and Samuel Iling-Junior scored a minute apart in the second half after Serhou Guirassy's early penalty had put the Germans in front.

Club Brugge held Juventus to a 0-0 draw in Belgium as that duo both look set to go through to the play-offs at least, while PSV Eindhoven are poised to advance following a 3-2 win at Red Star Belgrade.

PSV led 3-0 at the break thanks to a Luuk de Jong double and a Ryan Flamingo strike, but the latter was sent off early in the second half and Red Star pulled goals back courtesy of Cherif Ndiaye and Nasser Djiga.

VfB Stuttgart maintained their hopes of reaching the play-offs with a 3-1 win away to Slovan Bratislava, who have lost every game. Jamie Leweling bagged a brace for Stuttgart and Fabian Rieder sealed their victory after Idjessi Metsoko had pulled one back.