PSV Eindhoven have claimed a vital win in their bid to reach the Champions League knockout stage by beating Wolfsburg 2-0 in Group B.
After both sides had struggled to create clear opportunities early in the game, Jurgen Locadia broke the deadlock 11 minutes into the second half to hand the advantage to the hosts.
PSV captain Luuk de Jong wrapped up the win with a fine chipped finish late on as PSV recovered from back-to-back defeats in the competition.
Read below to find out how the action unfolded.
Good evening everyone! The Champions League resumes this afternoon as teams play their fourth games of the group stage. Wolfsburg currently top Group B on six points, while PSV Eindhoven are bottom after winning just one of their opening three matches. Stay with me to find out who comes out on top tonight.
This is the second game in the double header between the two sides. It was Wolfsburg who triumphed in Germany a fortnight ago as second-half goals from Bas Dost and Max Kruse earned them a 2-0 victory. With Manchester United and CSKA Moscow two points off the Group B leaders, the battle for qualification looks certain to go down to the last matchday.
Before we go any further, let's bring you the team news for tonight's match.
PSV: Zoet, Arias, Bruma, Morena, Brenet, Guardado, Propper, Maher, Narsingh, De Jong, Locadia
SUBS: Pasveer, Isimat, Pereiro, Schaars, Bergwijn, Hendrix, De Wijs
SUBS: Pasveer, Isimat, Pereiro, Schaars, Bergwijn, Hendrix, De Wijs
PSV boss Philip Cocu makes one change to his side following the 6-3 thrashing of De Graafschap at the weekend. Jorrit Hendrix is the player to drop out as Adam Maher brings extra creativity into the midfield. Jurgen Locadia is given the responsibility of leading the attack with support from Luuk de Jong
WOLFSBURG: Benaglio; Jung, Klose, Naldo, Rodriguez; Gustavo, Guilavogui, Arnold; Caligiuri, Schurrle, Dost
SUBS: Casteels, Trasch, Dante, Schafer, Draxler, Vieirinha, Bendtner
SUBS: Casteels, Trasch, Dante, Schafer, Draxler, Vieirinha, Bendtner
One big surprise from Wolfsburg boss Dieter Hecking as Julian Draxler starts the evening on the bench for the visitors. It looks to be a 4-3-3 for the away side, with Daniel Caligiuri and Andre Schurrle starting on the wings either side of Bas Dost. Timm Klose is preferred to Dante in the centre of defence alongside Naldo.
A win tonight really would be huge for, especially if there is a result between Manchester United and CSKA, who meet at Old Trafford this evening. They could be six points clear of the third-placed side with two matches remaining in Group B.
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PREDICTION: PSV proved in the win over Man Utd just how strong they can be at home. Wolfsburg face a very difficult test tonight, and that shows in Hecking's decision to include an extra man in midfield. They will look to hit the hosts on the break as often as possible. I'm going for a 2-2 draw.
A quick reminder that you can follow live text coverage of every Champions League game by clicking on the fixture in the live scores box on the right of the page. Plenty of questions will be answered tonight.
The two sides are heading out to the pitch now. Just the famous Champions League anthem and a few handshakes to get out of the way before the game can get underway.
KICKOFF! PSV seeing plenty of the ball in the opening minute. Wolfsburg are defending deep with very little pressure being put on the home side.
Quiet start to the game. Wolfsburg are beginning to dominate possession now, but not much action has taken place in attacking ares. The visitors are understandably clear to get Caligiuri on the ball as much as possible.
Caligiuri does well to win a free kick on the right and it's no surprise to see set-piece specialist Rodriguez jog over. His delivery finds Luiz Gustavo, who flicks his header over the crossbar.
There's a break in play when Arias catches Schurrle with his forearm while the two players battled for a high ball. No intent from the PSV defender and the game gets back underway.
PSV are improving quickly in the early stages. Guardado loses his man with a clever turn in midfield before finding Arias. The cross from the right reaches De Jong, whose miscued header loops into the hands of Benaglio.
PSV lose the ball high up the pitch to invite a break from Wolfsburg. The visitors get men forward at pace, but a poor pass from Caligiuri allows the home side to eventually recover.
Brent is very fortunate not to be booked when he dives in to bring down Caligiuri, whose quick feet earn a free kick for Wolfsburg on the edge of the box.
Predictably, it's Rodriguez who takes the free kick but his effort sails over the crossbar as PSV survive a worrying moment.
Wolfsburg have probably just about had the better of the opening exchanges, but we're still waiting for the first chance of the game. The first goal is going to be vital tonight.
As the away manager, Hecking must be very happy with how solid his side look at the moment. The three-man forward is forcing PSV to go wide, but they haven't shown the quality required to get through early in the game.
STAT: Wolfsburg have failed to score just once in their previous nine Champions League games.
SHOT! Bruma tries his luck from 30 yards with very few options on offer, but Benaglio is fairly comfortable as he pushes the speculative strike past the post.
Good defending from Moreno as he comes across to take the ball from Arnold after the Wolfsburg midfielder had threatened to collect a hopeful long pass forward.
Better from Wolfsburg as Dost collects the ball from Caligiuri before hitting a tame effort straight at Zoet. Replays prove that the Dutchman was offside. Good decision from the assistant referee.
Sorry guys. I'd love to be bringing you news of action at both ends, but it has been an uneventful encounter so far. Possession is being shared pretty evenly now as a long spell on the ball from PSV comes to an end on the edge of the box.
Fine defending from Arias, who refuses to jump in and makes a key interception to prevent Schurrle from finding Dost in the box.
Poor from Jung as his corner is easily headed away by Bruma after a decent spell for the visitors. Hecking will be the happier of the managers. At some stage you feel PSV will have to take a few more risks.
YELLOW CARD! Arnold picks up the first booking of the night for bringing down Maher. Good goalkeeping from Benaglio to charge off his line to collect after Locadia's attempted through ball proves to be too strong for De Jong.
Benaglio takes a painful blow to the head when Locadia stretches in an attempt to connect with a De Jong cross. A few angry words between the two players is probably the most exciting moment we've had in this game.
Wolfsburg continue to hold firm in midfield. Gustavo and Guilavogui, in particular, have been excellent at breaking up play when PSV do spend time in possession.
YELLOW CARD! Good defending from Klose as he heads clear under pressure from De Jong in the box. Caligiuri then earns a booking for a foul on Brenet as PSV looked to launch an attack.
Evenly matched in Eindhoven
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Frequent fouls in the last few minutes have affected the rhythm, which is making it even more difficult for the two sides to make an impact in attacking areas. The defenders at both ends will be delighted with themselves so far.
SAVE! The first chance of the night is created just before the break. Propper produces an inch-perfect pass to release Locadia, whose low strikes is kept out by a fine save from Benaglio.
YELLOW CARD! Guardado picks up a booking in first-half stoppage time for bringing down Schurrle.
HALF TIME: PSV 0-0 WOLFSBURG
One for the purists in Eindhoven. No goals in the opening 45 minutes, with Benaglio's save from a Locadia strike the only close call in the first half. Wolfsburg will be the happier of the two sides as they bid to collect another point in their pursuit of qualification.
Man Utd have been unable to make a breakthrough against CSKA. As it stands, Wolfsburg would remain two points clear at the top with two matches remaining.
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The two sides are heading back out for the start of the second half. Let's hope the players have found their shooting boots.
RESTART! No changes at the break from either manager as Wolfsburg get the game back underway.
Good play from De Jong as he rises highest to head the ball into the path of Maher, whose poor touch allows Naldo to clear the danger.
A lack of ideas is a real worry for both teams. Naldo decides to have a crack from 30 yards, but his effort is blocked as both defences continue to dominate.
The groans from the home fans arrive once again when De Jong needlessly makes the run too early and is caught offside while attempting to collect Maher's through ball. I wouldn't be surprised if Cocu turned to his bench soon.
GOAL! PSV 1-0 WOLFSBURG (LOCADIA)
It's PSV who make the crucial breakthrough! A moment of true attacking quality finally arrives as De Jong releases Locadia, who sprints clear of the Wolfsburg defence and holds his nerve to fire past Benaglio at the near post. Confident finish.
PSV are looking much more confident on the ball now, but a couple of attacks break down when De Jong and then Locadia are caught in offside positions. Will Hecking be thinking of a change already?
Wolfsburg are struggling to produce a response. Passes are being misplaced and Dost is looking very isolated in attack as the visitors attempt to force the matter with slightly longer balls forward.
SUB! First change of the night as the ineffective Schurrle comes off to be replaced by Vieirinha.
Frustration for Caligiuri as he cuts into space before hitting his effort wide of the target. Zoet has barely had a touch of the ball in the PSV goal tonight.
Good defending from Klose as he beats De Jong to the header with the PSV captain looking odds on to double the lead from close range.
SUBS! Hecking decides it's time to use his final two changes. Nicklas Bendtner and Julian Draxler come on for Dost and Guilavogui. That move will see Draxler play behind Bendtner, with Gustavo and Arnold forming a two-man partnership in central midfield.
CHANCE! PSV should be 2-0 up. Locadia and Narsingh link up well before the latter pulls the ball back to Maher, who can only send his shot over the crossbar. What an opportunity for the hosts!
SUBS! Cocu is ready to protect this slender advantage. Hendrix offers more cover in midfield as a replacement for Maher, while Isimat-Mirin comes on for Locadia.
PSV have dropped deeper since the goal and those changes will make them difficult to break down. Wolfsburg are beginning to dominate possession, but the need to get the ball to Draxler more often.
Frustration for Hecking on the touchline as poor cross from Vieirinha allows PSV to relieve the pressure after a long spell on the back foot.
YELLOW CARD! Arias picks up a booking for pulling down Vieirinha on the wing. He can have no argument with the booking.
SAVE! Naldo carries the ball forward and skips a couple of tackles before unleashing a powerful strike which Zoet beats away. Narsingh then comes off to be replaced by Gaston Pereiro.
Worrying moment for Wolfsburg as the medical staff come on to treat Klose, who looks to be in a lot of pain. The visitors have made all three changes.
GOAL! PSV 2-0 WOLFSBURG (DE JONG)
Game over. It's a lovely goal from PSV as Guardado pass into the channel is collected by De Jong, who keeps his composure with a fantastic chipped finish over Benaglio.
Wolfsburg may have looked solid for long spells, but they have been punished for a poor attacking display. PSV are cruising to the final whistle as the hosts enjoy another spell of possession.
PSV threaten to break once again, but Naldo brings down Propper to pick up a yellow card. Wolfsburg quickly get the ball back as they desperately search for some late heroics from someone.
A disappointing night is almost over for Wolfsburg. Bendtner sums up the performance by firing well wide of the target from 25 yards.
FULL TIME: PSV 2-0 WOLFSBURG
It's all over in Eindhoven. Cocu's side record a vital win to boost their hopes of reaching the knockout stage. Goals from Locadia and De Jong ensure they finish the night on six points alongside Wolfsburg, with Man Utd a point clear at the top of Group B after a 1-0 win over CSKA.
Our live text coverage comes to an end now, but make sure you keep an eye on the site throughout the night as we bring you all of the reaction from this evening's Champions League games. Goodnight everyone.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
