Bayern Munich, Copenhagen, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, Real Madrid, Napoli, Real Sociedad and Inter Milan are qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
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After Lens’ victory against Sevilla early in the evening, which qualified the Sang et Or for the Europa League play-offs, the sixth day of the Champions League group stage continued, Tuesday December 12, for groups A , B, C and D. The leading teams have assumed their role, except Manchester United, who will not participate in any European competition in 2024.
Group A: a cold shower for Manchester United
For the Mancuniens, last in the group before the last day, the task looked tough against Bayern Munich, and it actually was: in an insipid match on their part, the Red Devils fell on a goal from Kingsley Coman (71e). Defeated 1-0, Manchester United have only won one match this season in the Champions League, and are eliminated from all European competitions.
Their evening opponents, the Bavarians, first in the group, are joined in the round of 16 by FC Copenhagen, winner 1-0 against Galatasaray thanks to a goal from Lukas Lerager (58e) home. The Danes have not reached the knockout stage of the Champions League since the 2010-2011 season. Galatasaray is transferred to the Europa League play-offs.
Group B: Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven qualified, Lens third
The only challenge of the last day in this group was that of third place, and it was the Lensois who won it at the expense of Sevilla FC. The Sang et Or won at home (2-1) and will play a European competition in 2024, since they are transferred to the Europa League.
In the other match of the group, while the first two places were fixed, with the leading position for Arsenal, the Gunners traveled to the pitch of PSV Eindhoven in a match without stakes on Tuesday evening. Mikel Arteta therefore chose to field a reshuffled team and the two teams parted back to back (1-1).
Group C: Real Madrid and Naples qualified without surprise
Guaranteed to finish first in the group before the match, Real Madrid was still jostled on the pitch at Union Berlin. But the Madrilenians won 3-2, a victory which condemned the Berliners to elimination from all European competitions.
They are joined in the round of 16 by Naples, winner of SC Braga (2-0) thanks in particular to a goal from Victor Osimhen. The Portuguese are transferred to the Europa League.
Group D: Real Sociedad ahead of Inter Milan
Guaranteed to qualify, Real Sociedad and Inter Milan competed for first place in the group in Milan, and after a draw (0-0), it was the Spaniards who created the surprise and finished first, ahead of the finalists of the latest edition. They will compete in the round of 16 of the Champions League for the second time in their history, twenty years after the first.
The third qualifying place for the Europa League play-offs was contested between Salzburg and Benfica. The Portuguese had to win by at least two goals, and they fulfilled their mission at the end of the suspense (3-1), thanks to a goal from the incoming Arthur Cabral (90e+2), while Angel Di Maria had previously scored a goal from a direct corner and delivered an assist for Benfica.