Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (left) celebrates scoring his side’s first goal in the 2-0 win over Galatasaray. Picture: PA Media
Benfica’s Anisio Cabral celebrates scoring in the dramatic victory over Real Madrid.
The domination of English clubs in this season’s Champions League was highlighted as five Premier League teams secured a top-eight finish as the group stage concluded in thrilling fashion.
The biggest shock of the night came as Real Madrid were beaten by Jose Mourinho’s Benfica, which ended their hopes of a top-eight finish in a game that served up the most dramatic of finishes.
Benfica needed a last-gasp header from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin to secure a 4-2 win, with that late goal enough to send Mourinho’s side through to the play-offs amid scenes of wild celebrations that ended Marseille’s hopes of a play-off. Benfica will now play Real Madrid once again in the play-offs.
Arsenal were assured of their passage to the last-16 after winning their first seven group stage games this season, with a 3-1 win against Kazakhstan rivals FC Kairat at Emirates Stadium completing a perfect set of results for the Gunners as they topped the vast 36-team table.
Below them was a who’s who of England’s top flight, with Liverpool’s thumping 6-0 win against Qarabag at Anfield securing Arne Slot’s side a third place finish in the table, one ahead of Tottenham after their impressive win in Germany against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Benfica’s Anisio Cabral celebrates scoring in the dramatic victory over Real Madrid.
Barcelona bounced back from the shock of conceding an early goal against FC Copenhagen to secure a 4-1 win that gave them a fifth-placed finish in the final group table, with Marcus Rashford scoring the last of Barca’s goals from a free-kick.
A late Joao Pedro goal against Napoli gave Chelsea the win they needed to seal a top-eight finish and a last-16 spot, with Erling Haaland scoring Manchester City’s opening goal as they got the win they needed against Galatasaray at the Etihad Stadium to secure progress.
Newcastle were the only English team that missed out on a prized top-eight finish, as a commendable 1-1 draw with champions PSG for Eddie Howe’s side left both the Toon Army and their opponents in Paris facing up to the prospect of a play-off game next month. Harvey Barnes missed a late chance to secure a win.
There was also drama in Bilbao, as a late goal from Alisson Santos secured Sporting a win against Athletic Club that saw the Portuguese side snatch automatic progress to the last-16.
There was also a notable win for Bodo/Glimt against Atletico Madrid, which ended the hopes of the Spanish side claiming a top eight finish and secured the Norwegian underdogs a place in the play-offs.