Besitkas closer to knockout stage after 1-1 draw with Monaco
ISTANBUL (AP) Besikas moved a step closer to the knockout stages of the Champions League and pushed ..
ISTANBUL (AP) Besikas moved a step closer to the knockout stages of the Champions League and pushed Monaco nearer the exit after the sides drew 1-1 in a closely-contested Group G game on Wednesday.
Striker Keita Balde missed a great chance to score the winner for Monaco deep into injury time, but his shot was easily gathered by home goalkeeper Fabri.
Ronny Lopes put Monaco ahead in first-half injury time with a fine strike from the edge of the penalty area.
But Cenk Tosun leveled from the penalty spot in the 54th minute after Brazilian defender Jorge brought down Ricardo Quaresma, sliding in naively just as the Portugal winger cut inside him.
Besiktas will go through if Liepzig wins away to Porto later in the group’s other game. Monaco reached the semifinals last season with some exhilarating attacking football, but has picked up only two points in four matches in this campaign and even reaching the Round of 16 is now a long shot.
Monaco lacked a cutting edge up front without top scorer Radamel Falcao, who sat out a second straight game with muscle fatigue.
