UEFA Champions League Group G: Zenit Oust Dragons From Tournament; Join APOEL FC In Knockout Stage

Tuesday saw the conclusion of Group G action in the UEFA Champions League as two games were played.

At Porto, Portugal:





An incredible eigtht-save performance by goalkeeper Viacheslav Malafeev enabled Zenit Saint Petersburg to gain a 0-0 road draw with FC Porto, enough for the Russian club to advance to the Champions League's knockout stage while the Dragons had to settle for a Europa League Round-of-32 berth.  Here's Danny, celebrating his team's advancement to the Round of 16.






At Nicosia, Cyprus:





Luiz Adriano (62',that's him being congratulated by teammate Yaroslav Rakitskiy) and Yevhen Seleznyov (78') provided the scoring punch as Shakhtar Donetsk knocked off APOEL FC 2-0 on the road.  Despite suffering their first setback of the tournament, the Cypriot club still won Group G.


Associated Press photos

FINAL GROUP G STANDINGS:


1. APOEL FC (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 9
2. Zenit Saint Petersburg (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
3. FC Porto (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 8)
4. Shakhtar Donetsk (GP: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 5)




APOEL FC and Zenit Saint Petersburg advanced to the Champions League's knockout stage, while FC Porto will try to capture a second straight Europa League crown.  Shakhtar Donetsk have been eliminated from European competition.