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DEADLY DZEKO

Champions League round-up: Roma edge past Qarabag in Azerbaijan, while Juventus ease past Olympiacos

Elsewhere, Benfica were blown away by Basel at St Jakob-Park as the Swiss outfit romped to an easy 5-0 victory in their Group A battle

QARABAG'S first ever Champions League home match ended in despair as they lost 2-1 to Roma at the Tofik Bakhramov Stadium.

Early goals from Kostas Manolas and Edin Dzeko sent Eusebio Di Francesco's side into delirium, but they found themselves on the back foot after Pedro Henrique netted before the second period.

 Kostas Manolas opened the scoring for Roma against Qarabag at the Tofik Bakhramov Stadium
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Kostas Manolas opened the scoring for Roma against Qarabag at the Tofik Bakhramov StadiumCredit: AP:Associated Press
 The Greek centre-back found the back of the net in just the seventh minute of the Champions League clash
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The Greek centre-back found the back of the net in just the seventh minute of the Champions League clashCredit: AFP

The Serie A side got off to the dream start in Azerbaijan when Manolas found the back of the net in just the seventh minute.

Lorenzo Pellegrini clipped in a corner which the Greek defender got on the end of as he powered in a header from close range.

And the Italians raced into a 2-0 lead when Dzeko's attempt rifled into the top right corner from the edge of the six-yard box after being found by Stephan El Shaarawy.

Things got interesting when the home side pulled a goal back thanks to Pedro Henrique.

The Brazilian winger lashed his strike into the top right corner from the centre of the box to spark jubilant scenes from the Qarabag faithful.

Roma then thought they had doubled their lead in the second half, but goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic expertly tipped over Bruno Peres' fearsome drive.

 Star striker Edin Dzeko put Roma 2-0 in the 15th minute in Azerbaijan
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Star striker Edin Dzeko put Roma 2-0 in the 15th minute in AzerbaijanCredit: Reuters
 Brazilian winger Pedro Henrique pulled a goal back for the home side in the 28th minute
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Brazilian winger Pedro Henrique pulled a goal back for the home side in the 28th minuteCredit: Reuters

There was almost wild scenes in the closing moments as Qarabag fans thought they had equalised late on.

Dino Ndlovu's 90th minute header went inches wide of the left-hand post after he met Ansi Agolli's cross.

Meanwhile, Gonzalo Higuain found the back of the net for Juventus during their 2-0 win against Olympiacos.

The ex-Real Madrid star netted in the 69th minute at the Juventus Stadium, before Mario Mandzukiz doubled their lead in the 80th minute.

 Gonzalo Higuain opened the scoring for Juventus at home against Olympiacos
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Gonzalo Higuain opened the scoring for Juventus at home against OlympiacosCredit: Reuters
 The former Real Madrid man celebrates after his goal in Turin
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The former Real Madrid man celebrates after his goal in TurinCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic made it 2-0 with just ten minutes left in their Group D clash
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Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic made it 2-0 with just ten minutes left in their Group D clashCredit: Reuters

The Old Lady get their first points of Group D after they lost 3-0 to Barcelona in their opening match.

Elsewhere on the night, Benfica were humiliated in Switzerland against Basel as they lost 5-0.

Home fans left St Jakob-Park in jubilant scenes after they humbled the Portuguese champions.

Michael Rico Lang netted the opener, with young striker Dimitri Oberlin bagging himself a brace.

Former Norwich flop Ricky van Wolfswinkel scored from the spot to make it 4-0, with 19-year-old left-back Blas Riveros completing the rout.

 Basel romped to an easy victory against Benfica in their Champions League clash
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Basel romped to an easy victory against Benfica in their Champions League clashCredit: EPA
 Dimitri Oberlin - on-loan from RB Leipzig - netted twice against the Portuguese champions
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Dimitri Oberlin - on-loan from RB Leipzig - netted twice against the Portuguese championsCredit: EPA

 

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