UCL: Chelsea beat Salzburg 2-1, qualify for knockout stage

Two wonderful finishes by Mateo Kovacic and Kai Havertz earned Chelsea victory away to Red Bull Salzburg in a breathless Champions League game and sent Graham Potter’s side through to the last 16.

Midfielder Kovacic rifled in an unstoppable left-foot finish from 18 yards before Junior Adamu equalised after a wonderful pass by Maximilian Wober.

Salzburg keeper Philipp Kohn denied Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang four times while Jorginho had a header brilliantly cleared off the line by Adamu.

However, Havertz ensured Chelsea joined Premier League rivals Manchester City in the knockout stage with a sublime curling finish, before Thiago Silva was forced to clear off the line from Strahinja Pavlovic.

Chelsea have 10 points from five games in Group E, four ahead of second-placed Red Bull Salzburg with one match to go.

Potter’s side will be confirmed as group winners – and therefore seeded for the last 16 draw on 7 November – if Dinamo Zagreb fail to beat AC Milan in Croatia later on Tuesday.

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