Champions League: Arsenal shuts out Basel

Theo Walcott's first-half goals and Alexis Sanchez's boundless energy helped Arsenal to a straightforward 2-0 win over Basel in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Walcott opened the scoring in the seventh minute when a long ball over the top found Sanchez, who ran down the left before crossing into the box. An unmarked Walcott darted behind the defence to power a header beyond the reach of Basel goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik.

Walcott's second goal came from a clinical one-two with Sanchez, whose back was to goal when he released the England international with a flicked pass. Walcott rifled home the return ball off the post in the 26th.

The result leaves Arsenal fighting for top of Group A with Paris Saint Germain. Both teams have four points after two matches.

Arsenal found cracks in Basel's defence throughout the match at Emirates Stadium, and the home side could have easily had a half-dozen goals by the break — if not for wayward finishing and some excellent saves from Vaclik.

Much of Arsenal's dazzling play came from Sanchez's vision and industry, with the forward's pace and trickery too much for Basel to handle at times, with his link-up play with Walcott paying dividends.

The visitors came back into the match for brief spells in the second half, most notably when midfielder Birkir Bjarnason smashed a shot that forced Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina to palm the ball over the crossbar.

Arsenal was forced to wear its yellow-and-blue away kit at Emirates Stadium after UEFA said that both of Basel's strips would clash with the home team's red-and-white colours.

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka faced his older brother Taulant Xhaka for the time since the siblings lined up against each other at the European Championship in June — Granit for Switzerland and Taulant for Albania.

Barcelona finds success without Messi

Barcelona overcame the absence of Lionel Messi to come from behind and beat Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Gerard Piquet stabbed home the winning goal in the 74th minute after a corner from Neymar was volleyed by Luis Suarez. Moenchengladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer spilled the shot and the Barcelona defender hustled to nod it home.

Neymar created Barcelona's equalizer with a throughball for substitute Arda Turan, who drilled it into the roof of the net in the 65th, five minutes after coming on for Ivan Rakitic.

Moenchengladbach could not hold onto the lead it got in the 34th. Mahmoud Dahoud and Raffael double-teamed to put Sergio Busquets under pressure and win the ball. Raffael carried it forward and then fed Dahoud on the left. His perfectly timed pass found Hazard open to slot home from close range.

Without Messi, Barcelona's attack lacked bite until the middle of the second half. His replacement Paco Alcacer, making his Champions League debut, had little impact.

Neymar was closely marked, often by two or three Moenchengladbach players. But the Brazilian got more space in the second half and used it well.

Suarez lacked support but he was the one who threatened, firing high in the first real chance in the 11th.

Suarez might have done better later in the first half had he shot for himself, instead of squaring the ball to Alcacer. Julian Korb made a great sliding tackle to deny Barcelona forward a shot at goal from close range.

Following an opening 7-0 drubbing of Celtic, Barcelona now has six points in Group C. Moenchengladbach is at two defeats, having also lost the opener 4-0 to Manchester City.

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen got a warm reception from former home fans, having played formerly for Moenchengladbach.

It was Barcelona's second win in their last seven matches in Germany.

Other results:

• Paris SG 3, Ludogorets 0
• Napoli 4, Benfica 2
• Atlético Madrid 1, Bayern Munich 0
• Man. City 3, Celtic 3
• FC Rostov 2, PSV Eindhoven 2
• Besiktas 1, Dynamo Kyiv 1