Bayern Munich reach UCL knockout stage with victory over Salzburg

Champions League holders Bayern Munich failed to hit top form but did enough for a 3-1 win over visitors FC Salzburg on Wednesday to book their spot in the knockout stage with two games to spare.

The German champions stretched their record run to 15 straight wins in the competition, with Robert Lewandowski firing in on the rebound in the 43rd minute after the hosts had struggled with Salzburg's high-intensity pressing during the first half.

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The Austrian side had started much stronger, putting the hosts on the back foot, and would have been ahead in the 16th minute were it not for goalkeeper Manuel Neuer's superb double save.

"It is very important that we are already now confirmed group winners," German keeper Neuer said. "It is a clear step in the right direction."

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Bayern, who slipped up in the Bundesliga with a draw against Werder Bremen on Saturday, were lacking their usual spark and got lucky in the 52nd minute when Salzburg defender Maximilian Woeber deflected Kingsley Coman's shot into his own net.

Bayern were left with 10 men in the 66th following the dismissal of defender Marc Roca with a second booking but two minutes later Leroy Sane settled their nerves, heading in their third goal.

Salzburg cut the deficit through Mergim Berisha in the 73rd minute after Neuer had pulled off another sensational double save minutes earlier.

The Bavarians, who have now scored two or more goals in all four of their group games, top Group A on 12 points, with Salzburg in last place on one. Atletico Madrid are second on five following their goalless draw with Lokomotiv Moscow, who have three.