BATE Borisov and Bayer Leverkusen both missed out on a crucial victory as they played out a 1-1 draw in Group E.
It took the hosts less than two minutes to break the deadlock through Mikhail Gordeichuk, whose effort somehow managed to sneak past Bernd Leno.
Leverkusen fought back impressively in the second half and secured the draw when Admir Mehmedi found the bottom corner while attempting to pick out a teammate with a volleyed cross.
Read below to find out how the action unfolded.
Hello everyone! The Champions League resumes today with the fifth round of group stage fixtures. Barcelona have already qualified from Group E and are likely to finish top, but Roma, BATE Borisov and Bayer Leverkusen are still in the hunt to join them. Stick with me as I bring you the action from Leverkusen's trip to Belarus to face BATE.
As it stands, Barcelona top Group E on 10 points with two games remaining. Roma are second on five points, Leverkusen third on four and BATE are bottom on three. With Roma taking on Barcelona later this evening, the pressure is on for one of these sides to claim what would be a huge win in their bid for qualification.
Just how big a shock would it be if BATE reach the knockout stage? It is going to take two big performances, but having already played Barcelona twice, Aleksandr Yermakovich will be hopeful of causing a shock. They need to make the most of this home game by collecting all three points.
BATE BORISOV: Chernik; Milunovic, Zhavnerchik, Polyakov, Mladenovic; Yablonski, A.Volodko, Rios; Hleb, Gordeichuk, Mozolevski
SUBS: Soroko, Dubra, Karnitski, Aleksievich, Nikolic, M. Volodko, A. Jevtic
SUBS: Soroko, Dubra, Karnitski, Aleksievich, Nikolic, M. Volodko, A. Jevtic
No real surprises from the home side as they line up with what looks to be a 4-3-3 formation. Alexander Hleb, Mikhail Gordeichuk and Dmitry Mozolevski will lead the attack for BATE, with Aleksandar Jevtic among the players forced to settle for a spot on the bench.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN: Leno; Donati, Ramalho, Tah, Wendell; Kampl, Kramer; Bellarabi, Calhanoglu, Mehmedi; Hernandez
SUBS: Yelldell, Kresic, Boenisch, Brandt, Yurchenko, Frey, Ryu
SUBS: Yelldell, Kresic, Boenisch, Brandt, Yurchenko, Frey, Ryu
Javier Hernandez starts for Leverkusen as he looks to score for the eighth successive game. Injuries have limited the options on offer to Roger Schmidt, who names two goalkeepers on the bench. Karim Bellarabi, Hakan Calhanoglu and Admir Mehmedi provide the support for the lone striker.
Calhanoglu netted a brace as Leverkusen beat BATE 4-1 in the reverse fixture in September. Yermakovich admits that his side were outplayed, but can they avenge the defeat tonight?
© Getty Images
"We remember the first group game when we lost by a big margin in Germany," he told reporters. "My players were impressed by the quality of Leverkusen. They really outplayed us in many departments and after their second goal we lost track of them – in defence and attack."
PREDICTION: It could be a tough night for Leverkusen. A BATE win would shake up this group and really increase the chances of a shock. The opening goal is likely to be crucial in a game which could be cagey. I'm going for a 2-1 Leverkusen win.
Here we go then. The two sides are out on the pitch at Borisov Arena and the action is just a few moments away now.
GOAL! BATE BORISOV 1-0 BAYER LEVERKUSEN (GORDEICHUK)
What a start for the hosts, but it is a dreadful moment for Bernd Leno and Leverkusen! BATE are ahead inside 80 seconds as the shift the ball out wide to Gordeichuk, who cuts inside to unleash a shot. It is struck straight at Leno, who should hold it easily but he somehow allows the ball to sneak through his legs. You won't see a worse mistake tonight!
In truth, neither of these defences have covered themselves in glory this season, so an early goal could really open this game up. Leverkusen are seeing plenty of the ball, but they are struggling to retain possession further up the pitch. BATE will happy to work on the counter now.
Desperate defending from BATE in the box. A corner causes all sorts of problems and a loose ball drops to Tah, who takes a touch before seeing his effort charged down by Polyakov.
YELLOW CARD! This is harsh. Gordeichuk only has eyes for the ball when he goes for a header but he catches Donati and the referee decides to dish out an early yellow card.
That early goal is a huge boost for BATE, who are now playing balls into the channels while ensuring that their midfielders are in the right position when Leverkusen win possession. The visitors continue to struggle keeping the ball.
Poor from Mehmedi, who cuts inside from the right to run at the BATE defence but his end product is poor as he fails to play the ball into the path of Hernandez's clever run.
Kramer and Kampl are being allowed to have the ball in the centre circle, but neither are causing too many problems for the hosts with their passing. Calhanoglu comes in off the wing to unleash a speculative strike which sails over the crossbar.
Leverkusen enjoying longer spells in possession now, but they are being forced to keep the ball in midfield. BATE look very organised at the back.
Moment of madness from Milunovic as he lets the ball run out of play, despite a BATE player getting the last touch. Ramalho meets the corner with a diving header, but the ball is sent straight into Chernik's hands.
Excellent defending from the highly-rated Tah as he turns quickly to prevent Mozolevski from collecting a clever through ball from Hleb.
Credit to BATE. Leverkusen are not throwing the kitchen sink at the hosts yet, but the hosts are managing the game very impressively as Hleb plays with Kramer before winning a free kick in a good position.
Dare I say it, Leverkusen seem to be running low on ides. Hernandez looks very frustrated as Donati's hopeful long ball floats over his head.
Good play from Bellarabi as he spots Mehmedi coming off the wing, but the latter's effort is poor as the ball drifts wide of the post.
Schmidt doesn't look too pleased on the touchline. Hernandez makes a good run off the ball to give Bellarabi an option in the channel, but the winger ignores him to send a wild effort over the crossbar. Hleb then picks up a booking for an earlier foul on Donati.
YELLOW CARD! Frustration for Leverkusen as a couple of hopeful chipped balls are cleared by the hosts, and Kampl picks up a booking for stopping the break with a foul on Hleb.
Calhanoglu is attempting to get involved more regularly by dropping deeper, but even he is finding it difficult to feed the ball to Hernandez, whose movement is not bringing opportunities so far. Very few opportunities on offer since the opening goal.
Mehmedi frustrates his teammates by rushing the shot on the turn and sending the ball into the stand from the edge of the box. He had more time and other options.
Volodko holds off a couple of challenges to make room for the shot 25 yards from goal, but his miscued effort strikes Mozolevski on the way out for a goal kick.
PENALTY APPEAL! Leverkusen are furious. Bellarabi does well on the left before picking out Hernandez, who gets to the ball before Zhavnerchik in the box. It's a foolish sliding challenge, but Hernandez goes over the outstretched leg rather than take the contact. The referee is quick to shake his head.
SAVE! What an opportunity for Leverkusen. Bellarabi does well to release Mehmedi on the right of the box and he delivers the perfect low cross for Hernandez, who is all on his own in the box. You'd put your house on him scoring, but Chernik makes the save with his leg while diving in the opposite direction.
HALF TIME: BATE 1-0 LEVERKUSEN
That was a huge moment just before the break. Leverkusen have barely threatened, but Hernandez looked certain to equalise and that would have been a huge blow to BATE, who lead thanks to Gordeichuk's goal in the second minute. Leno will still be thinking about that error, which could be key in ending Leverkusen's hopes of progressing.
Of course, Leverkusen will not be out of the running with a loss in this game, but with Barcelona to come in their final fixture, they really need to avoid defeat. If they do lose, Roma can end their hopes of qualifying by beating Barcelona later tonight.
Delight for @FCBATE goalscorer Mikhail Gordeichuk #UCL pic.twitter.com/fp3baLIlCG
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 24, 2015
RESTART! BATE make a change at the break as Maksim Volodko comes on to replace Rios. Schmidt has decided against turning to his bench yet.
Bellarabi threatens to start the second half in style as he cuts inside to unleash a shot which does not trouble Chernik, who watches the ball fly wide of the post.
Leverkusen on top early in the second half. A good move on the left ends with a cross reaching Bellarabi, whose effort on the half volley is easily collected by Chernik.
Great goalkeeping from Chernik as he races off his line to collect the ball at the feet of Hernandez, whose clever touch was just too good for Polyakov. Leverkusen have started the second half very well.
CLOSE! Fantastic football from Bellarabi on the break. The Germany international breezes past a couple of defenders and uses Hernandez's run to take the ball in the opposite direction before seeing his effort take a deflection on the way to just missing the post.
Calhanoglu has really struggled this evening. He follows a dreadful corner by giving the ball away in a good position just a few moments later. Schmidt might be thinking about turning to Julian Brandt soon.
This is much better from Leverkusen. They are showing the pace in possession that was missing in the first half. Calhanoglu feeds Hernandez, who turns to send the ball to Mehmedi, but his tame effort is easily held by Chernik.
Donati is the latest player to try his luck as BATE allow the full-back to come forward under no pressure before hitting an effort straight at Chernik. BATE just are not holding the shape in the same way they did in the first half.
BATE threaten to kill the game off on the break, but Tah does well to cut Hleb's cross. Kramer then sends a speculative effort wide at the other end.
YELLOW CARD! Polyakov is the latest player to pick up a booking for bringing down Hernandez after being turned by the Mexican on the halfway line.
The biggest concern for BATE is that their spells of possession are not lasting very long. They are not under pressure to send many players forward, but they must keep the ball better. Leverkusen will create more chances.
GOAL! BATE 1-1 LEVERKUSEN (MEHMEDI)
Leverkusen equalise with a very strange goal. A long spell ends with Kramer lobbing the ball into the box for Mehmedi, who appears to be looking for Hernandez at the back post with a side-foot volley. However, the cross becomes a shot as the ball finds the bottom corner. I think Chernik perhaps should have done better. Can they find the winner?
The panic in the BATE box is clear now as Tah wins a header to flick the corner into the danger zone, but Ramalho gives away a free kick to relieve the pressure on the hosts.
SUB! Former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Hleb comes off to be replaced by Aleksandr Karnitski.
Calhanoglu's free kick is flicked on and Tah goes for the loose ball with Chernik, who does very well to punch clear under pressure from the centre-back.
SUB! Calhanoglu's night comes to an end as Brandt is given the final 12 minutes plus stoppage time to make an impact. BATE's final change sees Aleksandr Volodko replaced by Nemanja Nikolic.
YELLOW CARD! Karnitski is just too quick for Wendell, whose late challenge on the substitute earns him a booking. BATE need a winner, too, but a spell on top ends with Nikolic firing over from the edge of the box.
Superb from Ramalho as he slides in with a crucial tackle on Nikolic, who had turned Tah and looked ready to test Leno with a shot.
Hernandez is forced off the field for a few moments and the striker is furious with the referee. He's clearly been struck on the side of the head, with a bruise already clear to see. It's unclear what happened but Hernandez is not a happy man.
Bellarabi unleashes an effort from the edge of the box, but the shot was never troubling Chernik, who watches the ball drift wide of the target.
It's going to be a frantic finish! Wendell produces a powerful half-volley from out wide, but Chernik gets two hands to the ball before Hernandez can get the final touch on the slide.
SUB! Vladlen Yurchenko is off the bench to replace Mehmedi as both sides search for the winner.
Time is running out as Leverkusen desperately search for the right pass in the final third of the pitch.
CHANCE! Leverkusen look set to secure a dramatic win when Kramer and Kampl combine to pull the ball back for Yurchenko, but Polyakov does brilliantly to charge down his shot. Hernandez is unable to get to the rebound as BATE clear.
FULL TIME: BATE BORISOV 1-1 BAYER LEVERKUSEN
It's a point each, and that isn't the best news for either team. Roma can end the hopes of both of these teams with a victory over Barcelona later on this evening. Leverkusen meet Barcelona in their final game, while BATE take on Roma. They'll be hopeful of being in with a chance when those games arrive. That's all from our live coverage of this game, but make sure you follow the rest of tonight's action with Sports Mole.
