Turkish champions Besiktas reached the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time in 31 years as they fought back for a 1-1 draw at home to Porto in their penultimate Group G match yesterday.
Besiktas earned a point with a close-range equaliser by Brazilian Talisca after 41 minutes following a marvellous assist from Cenk Tosun who won the ball in the midfield.
The hosts had fallen behind just before the half-hour mark when Felipe netted after receiving a pass from Ricardo who cut the ball back from the byline.
Besiktas are top with 11 points from five games, with Porto second on seven ahead of Leipzig.
Meanwhile, Spartak Moscow conceded a stoppage-time goal to draw 1-1 at home with Slovenians Maribor on Tuesday in a scrappy Group E clash that dealt a body blow to the Russian side’s chances of reaching the Champions League knockout stages.
The result left Russian champions Spartak third in the group on six points from five games, two behind leaders Liverpool and one adrift of second-placed Sevilla, who were playing later.
Besiktas’ Pepe, Adriano, Anderson Talisca and team mates celebrate after the match.
