A ROBERT Soldado hat-trick guided Valencia to an impressive victory over BATE Borisov in Minsk in Group F. A first half penalty and two excellent second-half strikes from the striker proved the difference.
BATE Borisov were in confident mood following victories over Lille and Bayern Munich.
Soldado won the penalty on the the stroke of half time and scored from the spot himself. He doubled the lead in the 55th minute with a volley and finished off the game with a deft finish on 69 minutes.
Elsewhere in the same group, Thomas Müller’s first-half penalty proved enough to secure Bayern Munich a 1-0 victory at Lille.
Lille fullback Lucas Digne fouled Philipp Lahm and Müller converted from the spot after 20 minutes.
Bayern, stunned by BATE Borisov in their last game, were in complete control throughout.
In Group G, an own goal by Benfica defender Jardel earned Spartak Moscow their first points in this season’s Champions League with a 2-1 win.
The winner came two minutes before the break when Jardel, redirected the ball into his own net from a Yevgeny Makeyev cross.
The Russians had caught the visitors cold on a chilly Moscow night after just two minutes when Rafael Carioca slotted the ball into the far corner following a quick counter-attack.
Lima equalised 30 minutes later with a strong header at the near post, scoring Benfica’s first goal in the group stage.
In Group B, Yurak Yilmaz scored late as Galatasaray were held to a 1-1 draw against 10-man CFR Cluj.
CFR Cluj took the lead after 19 minutes as Camora’s cross deflected off Dany Nounkeu. Matias Aguirregaray received two yellow cards before Felipe Melo saw his penalty saved.
Galatasaray snatched a late equaliser as substitute Yilmaz rose highest to head home Nordin Amrabat’s cross.
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