Pro Sports

Bayern beats PSG 3-1 to restore pride in Champions League

Posted December 05, 2017 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Bayern's Corentin Tolissoc, center, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Champions League group B soccer match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain in Munich, southern Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. (Sven Hoppe/dpa via AP) The Associated Press

MUNICH (AP) - Bayern Munich won 3-1 Tuesday to deal Paris Saint-Germain its biggest defeat of the season but still had to settle for second place behind the French team in their Champions League group.

Bayern lost the previous meeting 3-0 in Paris - a defeat that cost Carlo Ancelotti his job as coach - and needed to beat PSG by four goals to finish top of Group B. Both sides were already assured of progress to the last 16.

Robert Lewandowski got Bayern off to a flying start after Kingsley Coman headed James Rodriguez's cross on toward goal. The Poland striker needed no second invitation for his third goal of the campaign.

The home side assumed control, though PSG's Kylian Mbappe and Neymar showed glimpses of their danger. The Brazilian should have done better when Mbappe sent him through with a brilliant pass.

James crossed for Corentin Tolisso to double Bayern's lead before the break.

Bayern needed just two more in the second half to top the group, but Mbappe dented those hopes soon after the break when Edinson Cavani lifted the ball for the 18-year-old to head past Sven Ulreich in the Bayern goal.

Coman burst through to set up Tolisso's second goal midway through the half. It was enough to restore the home side's pride, albeit not enough to top the group.

Both sides finished with 15 points, well ahead of Celtic and Anderlecht, both on three. Anderlecht won 1-0 in Glasgow but Celtic finished third to take the Europa League place.

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More AP Champions League coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/ChampionsLeague

Bayern's Corentin Tolisso, right, scores his side's second goal during the Champions League Group B soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, at Allianz Arena stadium in Munich, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) The Associated Press

Bayern's Sebastian Rudy, left, and PSG's Adrien Rabiot challenge for the ball during the Champions League Group B soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, at Allianz Arena stadium in Munich, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) The Associated Press

Bayern players celebrate after winning 3-1 in the Champions League group B soccer match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain in Munich, southern Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. (Sven Hoppe/dpa via AP) The Associated Press

PSG's Marquinhos, left, and Bayern's Mats Hummels challenge for the ball during the Champions League Group B soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, at Allianz Arena stadium in Munich, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) The Associated Press

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