Basel put four past Ludogorets Razgrad in Group B of the Champions League this evening to climb to second in the standings and put pressure on Liverpool.
The Swiss outfit came close to breaking the deadlock in the 10th minute when Luca Zuffi bent a free kick towards goal, his effort taking a wicked deflection before being saved by Vladislav Stojanov.
© Getty Images
Ludogorets had a great opportunity to draw first blood in the 27th minute as Roman Bezjak's neat flick-on fell kindly for Dani Abalo, but the Spaniard's effort went narrowly over.
Basel took the lead in the 34th minute when 17-year-old striker Breel Embolo opened his Champions League account with a half-volley from the edge of the box.
The Swiss side made it two just before half time as Derlis Gonzalez latched on to a long ball, cut inside the area and struck an effort beyond the reach of Stojanov.
© Getty Images
Both sides created opportunities in the early stages of the second half, Basel coming closest when Embolo took advantage of slack defending and forced a save from Stojanov with a first-time strike.
Embolo tuned provider for Basel's third, floating a cross into the area for Shkelzen Gashi to hit first time and leave the Ludogorets goalkeeper stranded.
Basel's fourth came from a corner in the 65th minute. Luca Zuffi provided the delivery and experienced defender Marek Suchy rose highest in the area to nod home and pile more misery on the Bulgarian champions.
Liverpool's second defeat to Real Madrid in as many weeks in the group's other fixture sees Basel leapfrog them in the standings with two games to play.
Mark Langshaw
