GRAHAM DUNBAR
AP Sports Writer
Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 on Karim Benzema’s 27th-minute goal Tuesday night to advance to the knockout phase of the Champions League along with Borussia Dortmund, and Arsenal wasted a three-goal lead at home in a 3-3 tie against Anderlecht.
Real improved to 4-0 in Group B as Cristiano Ronaldo remained one shy of Raul Gonzalez’s record of 71 goals in Europe’s top club competition. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers rested Steven Gerrard, Mario Balotelli, Raheem Sterling and several others ahead of a weekend Premier League match against Chelsea.
Basel (2-2) is second after routing Ludogorets Razgrad 4-0. Borussia Dortmund beat Galatasaray 4-1 in the other Group D game.
At London, Arsenal (2-1-1) built a 3-0 lead over Anderlecht on Mikel Arteta’s penalty kick in the 25th, a volley by Alexis Sanchez in the 29th and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s darting run and shot in the 58th. But Anthony Vanden Borre scored in ther 61st and converted a penalty kick in the 73rd, and Aleksandar Mitrovic headed in the equalizer in the 90th for Anderlecht (0-2-2).
Juventus rallied to defeat Olympiakos 3-2, and Atletico Madrid won 2-0 at Malmo to lead Group A. Andrea Pirlo, making his 100th Champions League appearance, scored on a free kick in the 21st for Juventus, and Alberto Botia and Delvin N’Dinga scored on headers for the Greek champion. After an own goal by Roberto in the 65th, and Paul Pogba scored a minute later.
Group C leader Bayer Leverkusen won 2-1 at Zenit St. Petersburg, and Benfica beat Monaco 1-0.
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