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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Rostov 3-2 Bayern: Faltering Germans in shock defeat

The Bundesliga giants went down in Russia in Champions League Group D as Christian Noboa's free-kick won it for the hosts.

Update:
Rostov 3-2 Bayern: Faltering Germans in shock defeat
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEVAFP

Christian Noboa's fantastic free-kick earned Rostov a surprise 3-2 Champions League win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday, leaving Carlo Ancelotti's side facing a tough last-16 draw.

Reverse follows weekend Dortmund loss

The Bavarians thumped Rostov 5-0 in the opening fixture in September but lost their place at the top of the Bundesliga to RB Leipzig at the weekend following a 1-0 defeat at rivals Borussia Dortmund, and this was a second notable setback in days.

While Bayern were already assured of qualifying for the knockout stages, the result means Atlético Madrid can clinch top spot in Group D if they avoid defeat to PSV Eindhoven in Spain later.

Douglas Costa rifled Bayern ahead on 35 minutes at the Olimp-2 stadium, but Rostov equalised through Sardar Azmoun on the stroke of half-time before going ahead courtesy of a Dmitri Poloz penalty.

Juan Bernat swiftly levelled for the Germans, but Ecuador international Noboa fired competition debutants Rostov to a first group-stage victory with the winner on 67 minutes.

"We have been punished for our errors"

"It's a game we should win, Bayern should win here, regardless of the cold weather and the conditions," skipper Philipp Lahm told Sky.

"We have been punished for our errors and the changes made to the team are no excuse," Lahm continued. "To speak of a crisis is too much, but we must quickly correct our mistakes."

Bayern made the 2,100-kilometre trip east without goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Arturo Vidal and Arjen Robben through injury, while centre-back Holger Badstuber started for the first time since February.

Aleksandr Erokhin nearly headed the Russian outfit ahead after hesitant defending allowed him to nip in between Badstuber and goalkeeper Sven Ulreich only for Bernat to race back and clear off the line.

Noboa celebrates his winning goal.
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Noboa celebrates his winning goal.KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEVAFP

Costa puts Bayern in front, Azmoun equalises

Renato Sanches, making his first Champions League start this term, tested Soslan Dzhanaev with a swerving effort from the edge of the area before Costa fired just over from a similar position.

The pair were both involved as Bayern broke the deadlock with Sanches bursting into the area down the left and Costa drilling home after Cesar Navas's weak clearance rolled invitingly into the Brazilian's path.

But Iranian international Azmoun levelled for Rostov just before the break after turning Jerome Boateng to coolly slot past Ulreich.

Bernat pegs home side back before Noboa wins it

And the hosts grabbed a surprise lead after Boateng upended Noboa inside the box, with Poloz confidently tucking away the penalty for his third goal in five European matches.

Bayern hit back immediately as Franck Ribéry slipped in Bernat, who lashed home from close range, but Rostov claimed a memorable win as Noboa's strike left Ulreich clutching at thin air.