Wednesday, December 09, 2015

UEFA Champions League, Group H: Gent Knock Off Zenit, Advance To Knockout Stage; It's Europa League Time For Valencia

The final two games of Group H action in the UEFA Champions League were contested on Wednesday.

At Valencia, Spain:

Maxwel Cornet (37') and Alexandre Lacazette (76'), that's him, on the right, celebrating after scoring) delivered the goals as Lyon knocked Valencia out of the Champions League and into the Europa League knockout stage with a 2-0 road blanking.

AFP/Getty Images photo

At Ghent, Belgium:
Gent edge past Zenit and into knockout stages
Danijel Milicevic scored the winning goal in the 78th minute as KAA Gent locked up a berth in the Champions League's knockout stage by handing visiting Zenit Saint Petersburg their only group-stage defeat 2-1.  Laurent Depoitre, who scored Gent's first goal in the 18th minute, as seen here celebrating with teammates Sven Kums and Renato Neto.

Getty Images

Final Group H Standings:

1. FC Zenit Saint Petersburg (GP: 6; GD: +7; PTS: 15)
2. KAA Gent (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 10)
3. Valencia (GP: 6; GD: -4; PTS: 6)
4. Lyon (GP: 6; GD: -4; PTS: 4)

FC Zenit Saint Petersburg and KAA Gent advanced to the Champions League's knockout stage. Valencia qualified for the Europa League's Round of 32.

UEFA Champions League, Group G: Chelsea Knock Out Dragons, Win Group; Dynamo Kiev In Knockout Stage Too

Two games were contested on Wednesday as Group F action in the UEFA Champions League came to a close.

At Kiev, Ukraine:
Dynamo grab chance to end knockout exile
Denis Garmash (that's him celebrating) scored the only goal of the match in the 16th minute as Dynamo Kiev laid claim to a Champions League knockout-stage berth with their 1-0 home win over Maccabi Tel Aviv as the Israeli club completed a perfectly awful campaign.

At London:

Ivan Marcano Sierra (OG-12') and Willian (52', that's him celebrating after scoring the insurance tally) each scored a goal as Chelsea won Group G and advanced to the Champions League's knockout stage by blanking (and relegating to the Europa League's Round of 32) visiting FC Porto 2-0.

AFP/Getty Images photos

Final Group G Standings:

1. Chelsea (GP: 6; GD: +10; PTS: 13)
2. Dynamo Kiev (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 11)
3. FC Porto (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 10)
4. Maccabi Tel Aviv (GP: 6; GD: -15; PTS: 0)

Chelsea and Dynamo Kiev advanced to the Champions League's knockout stage.  FC Porto qualified for the Europa League's Round of 32.

UEFA Champions League, Group F: Gunners Blow Out Legend On Road And Advance To Knockout Stage; Bayern Blank Dinamo In Zagreb

Wednesday saw the end of Group F action in the UEFA Champions League with two contests.

At Zagreb, Croatia:
Lewandowski double gives Bayern victory at Dinamo
Robert Lewandowski (that's him celebrating) scored twice (61', 64') as Bayern Munich blanked punchless Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 on the road.

At Piraeus, Greece:

A natural hat trick from Oliver Giroud (29', 49', PK-67') propelled Arsenal to a 3-0 road domination of Olympiacos---and a berth in the knockout stage, relegating the hosts to the Europa League's Round of 32.  Here's Ollie (left), celebrating with Theo Walcott after converting his spot kick.

AFP/Getty Images photos

Final Group F Standings:

1. Bayern Munich (GP: 6; GD: +16; PTS: 15)
2. Arsenal (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
3. Olympiacos (GP: 6; GD: -7; PTS: 9)
4. Dinamo Zagreb (GP: 6; GD: -11; PTS: 3)

Bayern Munich and Arsenal (who outscored Olympiacos 5-3 in the two games between the clubs) advanced to the Champions League's knockout stage. Olympiacos qualified for the Europa League's knockout stage.

UEFA Champions League, Group E: Leverkusen Relegated To Europa League Despite Road Draw With Barca; Scoreless Home Stalemate Sends Wolves To CL Round Of 16

Group-stage play in the UEFA Champions League concluded on Wednesday with eight games, two of them in Group E.

At Leverkusen, Germany:

Javier Hernandez's equalizer in the 23rd minute carried Bayer Leverkusen to a 1-1 home draw with Barcelona.  Lionel Messi scored for the visitors in the 20th minute, as shown here.  The draw was not good enough, though, for the German club, who will be playing in the knockout stage of the Europa League.

Getty Images photo

At Rome:

A 0-0 stalemate between AS Roma and visiting FC BATE Borisov lifted the hosts into the Champions League's knockout rounds and ended the Belorussian club's European advanture.  Here, the Wolves' Edin Dzenko has his eyes on the ball while BATE's Filip Mladenovic looks on.

AFP/Getty Images photo

Final Group E Standings:

1. FC Barcelona (GP: 6; GD: +11; PTS: 14)
2. AS Roma (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 6)
3. Bayer Leverkusen (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 6)
4. FC BATE Borisov (GP: 6; GD: -7; PTS: 5)


FC Barcelona and AS Roma (who had a win and a draw in two contests with Bayer Leverkusen) advanced to the Champions League's knockout stage. Bayer Leverkusen qualified for the Europa League's knockout stage.

Tuesday, December 08, 2015

UEFA Champions League, Group D: Citizens Double Up Gladbach (End German Club's European Campaign), Win Group; Sevilla Knock Off Juve, Head To Europa League

Two games were played as Group D action in the UEFA Champions League ended on Tuesday.

At Manchester, England:

Raheem Sterling scored twice (79', 81', that's him celebrating) as Manchester City doubled-up visiting Borussia Monchengladbach 4-2 and overtook Juventus and won Group D.

At Seville, Spain:

Fernando Llorente (that's him, center) scored the lone goal in the 65th minute as Sevilla defeated visiting knockout-stage-bound Juventus 1-0 and took the group's Europa League Round of 32 berth.

AFP/Getty Images photos

Final Group D Standings:

1. Manchester City (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 12)
2. Juventus (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 11)
3. Sevilla (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 6)
4. Borussia Monchengladbach (GP: 6; GD: -4; PTS: 5)


Manchester City and Juventus advanced to the Champions League's knockout stage. Sevilla qualified for the Europa League's knockout stage.

UEFA Champions League, Group C: Mattress Makers Down Eagles To Win Group; Home Draw With Astana Puts Galatasaray In Europa League Knockout Stage

Two games were played on Tuesday as Group C action in the UEFA Champions League came to a close.

At Istanbul, Turkey:
Galatasaray battle back to earn Europa League spot
Selcuk Inan's goal in the 64th minute (he's celebrating here after scoring) lifted Galatasaray to a 1-1 home draw with Astana and a berth in the knockout rounds of the Europa League.  Patrick Twumasi scored in the 62nd minute for the Kazakh club, whose European campaign ended with the draw.

At Lisbon:

Saul Nigrez Esclapez (33') and Luciano Vietto (55', he's shown here celebrating after scoring) each scored a goal as Atletico Madrid upended hosts SL Benfica 2-1 and overcame the Eagles in winning Group C.

AFP/Getty Images photos

Final Group C Standings:

1. Atletico Madrid (GP: 6; GD: +8; PTS: 13)
2. SL Benfica (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 10)
3. Galatasaray (GP: 6; GD: -4; PTS: 5)
4. FC Astana (GP: 6; GD: -6; PTS: 4)

Atletico Madrid and Benfica advanced to the Champions League's knockout stage.  Galatasaray qualified for the Europa League's group stage.

UEFA Champions League, Group B: Wolfsburg Knock Out Red Devils To Win Group; PSV Top Horses To Reach Knockout Stage

Group B play in the UEFA Champions League concluded on Tuesday with two games.

At Wolfsburg, Germany:
Wolfsburg win through at United's expense
Naldo scored twice (13', 84', that's him after scoring his first tally) as VfL Wolfsburg knocked off Manchester United 3-2 (and knocked the Red Devils into the Europa League's knockout stage) and won Group B.

Getty Images photo

At Eindhoven, Netherlands:
PSV through to last 16 after CSKA thriller
Luuk de Jong (78') and Davy Propper (85',which is celebrating by happy teammates) each scored once as PSV Eindhoven came from behind to overtake visiting CSKA Moscow 2-1 and locked up a berth in the Champions League's knockout stage while the Horses' European campaign came to a close.

AFP/Getty Images photo

Final Group B Standings:

1. VfL Wolfsburg (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 12)
2. PSV Eindhoven (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 10)
3. Manchester United (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 8)
4. CSKA Moscow (GP: 6; GD: -4; PTS: 4)

VfL Wolfsburg and PSV Eindhoven advanced to the Champions League's knockout stage.  Manchester United qualified for the knockout stage of the Europa League.

UEFA Champions League, Group A: Shutout Wins For PSG, Galacticos; Malmo Out Of European Competition

The final week of UEFA Champions League group-stage play commenced with eight games contested on Tuesday.  Two of those matches took place in Group A.

At Paris:
Ibrahimović sets record as Paris see off Shakhtar
Lucas Moura (57', that's him being congratulated after scoring) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (86') each scored a goal as Paris Saint-Germain blanked visiting Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0.  Despite the defeat, the Ukrainian club will play in the Europa League's Round of 32.

Getty Images photo

At Madrid:
Ronaldo rampant as Madrid put eight past Malmö
Cristiano Ronaldo (shown here celebrating) scored four goals (39', 47', 50', 58') and Karim Benzema added a hat trick (12'm 24', 74') as Real Madrid napalmed visiting Malmo FF 8-0 as the Swedish club's European adventure came to an ignoble conclusion.

AFP/Getty Images photo

Final Group A Standings:

1. Real Madrid (GP: 6; GD: +16; PTS: 16)
2. Paris Saint-Germain (GP: 6; GD: +11; PTS: 13)
3. Shakhtar Donetsk (GP: 6; GD: -7; PTS: 3)
4. Malmo FF (GP: 6; GD: -20; PTS: 3)

Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain advanced to the Champions League's knockout stage.  Shakhtar Donetsk (who outscored Malmo FF 4-1 in their two games) qualified for the knockout stage of the Europa League.

Sunday, December 06, 2015

TIMBERS HOLD OFF CREW IN COLUMBUS FOR MLS CUP TITLE AND CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BERTH

At Columbus, Ohio:

In 20th annual MLS Cup Final, Diego Valeri (at 27 seconds, the earliest goal in the history of Major League Soccer's championship game) and Rodney Wallace (7') each scored a goal as the Portland Timbers, in the fifth season of their current existence, became the first club from Cascadia to win the MLS Cup title, 2-1 on the road over the Columbus Crew.

Kai Kamara scored for the Crew in the 18th minute.

With the victory, the Timbers qualified for a berth in the group stage of the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League.

Seen here are the happy Timbers celebrating their championship as they completed the season with a nine-match unbeaten streak.

Friday, December 04, 2015

Thursday, December 03, 2015

Monday, November 30, 2015

MLS Cup Playoffs: It's Timbers Vs. Crew For The Marbles (And A CONCACAF Champions League Berth)

Both conference finals in the MLS Cup Playoffs were concluded on Sunday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Harrison, New Jersey:

Despite dropping a 1-0  game-two road decision to the New York Red Bulls, the Columbus Crew  won their two-game Eastern Conference Final 2-0 on aggregate.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Frisco, Texas:

Fanendo Adi (54') and Lucus Melano (90'+5) each scored a goal as the Portland Timbers gained a 2-2 game-two road draw with FC Dallas and advanced to their first-ever MLS Cup Final by winning their two-match Western Conference Final series with the Hoops 5-3 on aggregate.



The Portland Timbers will visit the Columbus Crew in next Sunday's MLS Cup Final (1:00 PM Pacific Time, ESPN).

The winner will qualify for the group stage of the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League.

Friday, November 27, 2015

Europa League: Reds, Spurs Clinch Spots In Knockout Stage

Europa League group-stage play resumed with 24 games on Thursday.

GROUP A:

At Molde, Norway:

Fernandao (68') and Ozan Tufan (84') each scored once as Fenerbahce defeated Molde FK 2-0 on the road.

At Glasgow, Scotland:

Vaclav Cerny scored the winning goal in the 88th minute as Ajax Amsterdam defeated Celtic 2-1 on the road, eliminating the Bhoys from European competition.

Group A Standings:

1. x-Molde FK (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
2.    Fenerbahce (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 8)
3.    Ajax Amsterdam (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
4. z-Celtic (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS: 2)

x-Clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage

z-Eliminated  from European competition



GROUP B:

At Kazan, Russia:

Blagoy Georgiev (72') and Marko Devic (90') delivered the goals as Rubin Kazan blanked visiting FC Sion 2-0, preventing the Swiss club from advancing to the Round of 32.

At Liverpool, England:

James Milner (PK-38') and Christian Benteke (45'+1) each scored a goal as Liverpool came from behind to defeat visiting Bordeaux 2-1 and clinch a berth in the knockout stage while eliminating the French club from the tournament.

Group B Standings:

1. x-Liverpool (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
2.    FC Sion (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 8)
3.    FC Rubin Kazan (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 5)
4. z-Bordeaux (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 3)

x-Clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage

z-Eliminated from European competition



GROUP C:

At Krasnodar, Russia:

Pavel Mamayev's successfully-converted second-minute penalty kick stood up as FC Krasnodar defeated visiting Borussia Dortmund 1-0 as both clubs will play in the knockout stage.

At Thessaloniki, Greece:

Gabala FK held hosts PAOK FC to a 0-0 stalemate as both clubs are now playing out the string.

Group C Standings:

1. x-FC Krasnodar (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 10)
2. x-Borussia Dortmund (GP: 5; GD: +6; PTS: 10)
3. z-PAOK FC (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 4)
4. z-Gabala FK (GP: 5; GD: -7; PTS: 2)

x-Clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage

z-Eliminated from European Competition

NOTE:  While FC Krasnodar and Borussia Dortmund each scored twice during the course of their two games against each other, the Russian club scored one goal on the road.



GROUP D:

At Warsaw, Poland:

Aleksandar Prijovic (35') scored the only goal of the match in the 35th minute as Legia Warsaw kept their knockout-stage hopes alive by defeating FC Midtjylland 1-0, preventing the visiting Danish club from advancing to the Round of 32.

At Bruges, Belgium:

In a contest played behind closed doors due to security concerns in Belgium in the aftermath of the recent Paris attacks, Vlad Chirches scored the only goal of the match in the 41st minute as Napoli continued their perfect group-stage form with a 1-0 road win over Club Brugge.

Group D Standings:

1. y-Napoli (GP: 5; GD: +16; PTS: 15)
2.    FC Midtjylland (GP: 5; GD: -6; PTS: 6)
3.    Club Brugge (GP: 5; GD: -7; PTS: 4)
4.    Legia Warsaw (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 4)

NOTE:  Club Brugge had a win and a draw in two group-stage contests with Legia Warsaw.



GROUP E:

At Barysaw, Belarus:

Nenad Adamovic scored the only goal of the match in the third minute of second-half stoppage time as Dinamo Minsk knocked off visiting FC Viktoria Plzen, ending any hopes of advancing to the knockout stage for the Czech club.

At Villarreal, Spain:

Bruno Soriano's goal in the 78th minute carried Villarreal to a 1-0 home victory over fellow Round-of-32 entrants Rapid Vienna.

Group E Standings:

1. x-Villarreal (GP: 5; GD: +6; PTS: 12)
2. x-Rapid Vienna (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 12)
3. z-FC Viktoria Plzen (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 3)
4. z-FC Dinamo Minsk (GP: 5; GD: -7; PTS: 3)

x-Clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage

z-Eliminated from European competition



GROUP F:

At Braga, Portugal:

Crislan scored the winning goal in the second minute of second-half stoppage time as SC Braga defeated visiting Slovan Liberec 2-1 and locked up a berth in the knockout stage.

At Marseilles, France:

Michy Batsshuayi scored the winning goal in the 88th minute as Marseille defeated visiting FC Groningan 2-1 and jumped up to second place in Group F with one match remaining.

Group G Standings:

1. x-SC Braga (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 12)
2.    Marseille (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
3.    FC Slovan Liberec (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 7)
4. z-FC Groningen (GP: 5; GD: -6; PTS: 1)

x-Clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage

z-Eliminated from European competition



GROUP G:

At Rome:

Marco Parolo what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 68th minute as Lazio defeated visiting FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 3-1 and clinched top spot in Group G.

At Trondheim, Norway:

Nolan Roux successful penalty kick in the 80th minute lifted Saint-Etienne to a 1-1 road draw with Rosenborg BK and a knockout-stage berth.  Alexander Soderfund scored for the now-eliminated Trond Kids in the 40th minute.

Group G Standings:

1. y-Lazio (GP: 5; GD: +7; PTS: 13)
2. x-Saint-Etienne (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 8)
3. z-FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 4)
4. z-Rosenborg BK (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 2)

y-Won Group G and clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage

x-Clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage

z-Eliminated from European Competition



GROUP H:

At Moscow:

Gelson Martins scored what proved to be the game winner in the 43rd minute as Sporting CP knocked off Lokomotiv Moscow 4-2 on the road to stay alive in the race for a knockout-stage berth.

At Istanbul, Turkey:

Cenk Tosun scored twice (35', 78') as Beskitas defeated visiting Skenderbeu Korce 2-0 and knocked the Albanian club out of the tournament and European competition.

Group H Standings:

1.    Besiktas (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
2.    Lokomotiv Moscow (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 8)
3.    Sporting CP (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 7)
4. z-Skenderbeu Korce (GP: 5; GD: -6; PTS: 3)

z-Eliminated from European competition



GROUP I:

At Basel, Switzerland:

Marek Suchy (40') and Mohamed Elneny (74') each scored a goal as FC Basel erased a two-goal deficit to gain a 2-2 home draw with Fiorentina and lock up a berth in the Europa League's knockout stage.  Federico Bernardeschi scored both goals (23', 36') for the Violets.

At Lisbon, Portugal:

Lech Poznan and hosts Belenenses battled to a 0-0 stalemate.

Group I Standings:

1. x-FC Basel (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 10)
2.    Fiorentina (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 7)
3.    Lech Poznan (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 5)
4.    Belenenses (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 5)

x-Clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage



GROUP J:

At Fontvieille, Monaco:

Guillaume Gillet (45'+1) and Frank Acheampong (78') produced the scoring as RSC Anderlecht blanked AS Monaco 2-0 on the road.

At Baku, Azerbaijan:

Harry Kane's goal in the 78th minute carried Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-0 road win over Qarabag FK and a berth in the knockout stage.  Spurs, in fact, locked up top spot in Group J.

Group J Standings:

1. y-Tottenham Hotspur (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
2.    RSC Anderlecht (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 7)
3.    AS Monaco (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 6)
4.    Qarabag FK (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 4)

y-Won Group J and clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage



GROUP K:

At Gelsenkirchen, Germany:

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored the only goal of the match in the 86th minute as Schalke 04 defeated visiting APOEL FC 1-0 and clinched a berth in the knockout stage.

At Prague, Czech Republic:

Jakub Brabec scored the game's lone goal in the 33rd minute as Sparta Prague clinched a knockout-stage berth with their 1-0 home win over Asteras Tripoli.

Group K Standings:

1. x-FC Schalke 04 (GP: 5; GD: +8; PTS: 11)
2. x-Sparta Prague (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
3. z-Asteras Tripoli (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS; 4)
4. z-APOEL FC (GP: 5; GD: -7; PTS: 3)

x-Clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage

z-Eliminated from European competition



GROUP L:

At Alkmaar, Netherlands:

Andrija Zivkovic scored the winning goal in the 89th minute as Partizan Belgrade all but locked up a berth in the Round of 32 after their 2-1 road win over AZ Alkmaar as the Dutch club were eliminated.

At Augsburg, Germany:

Aritz Aduriz scored twice during a three-minute second-half span (83', 86') as Athletic Bilbao locked up the Group L title with a 3-2 road win over FC Augsburg.

Group L Standings:

1. y-Athletic Bilbao (GP: 5; GD: +8; PTS: 12)
2.    Partizan Belgrade (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 9)
3.    FC Augsburg (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 6)
4. z-AZ Alkmaar (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 3)

y-Won Group H and clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage

z-Eliminated from European competition

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

UEFA Champions League, Group D: Juve Top Citizens At Home, Lock Up Berth In Knockout Stage; Sevilla Eliminated

Two Group D contests within the UEFA Champions League were played on Wednesday.

At Turin, Italy:

Mario Mandzukic scored the only goal of the match in the 18th minute as Juventus clinched a berth in the Champions League's knockout stage following their 1-0 home win over already-knockout-stage-bound Manchester City.  Here's Mario (left), celebrating with Paul Pogba after scoring the goal that propelled the Old Lady into the Round of 16 (as well as the top of the group).

AFP/Getty Images photo

At Monchengladbach, Germany:
Gladbach go third in Group D with Sevilla KO
Lars Stindl scored twice (29', 83'; that's him celebrating after one of his goals) as Borussia Monchengladbach defeated visiting Sevilla 4-2 to climb up to third place in Group D. 

Group D Standings:

1. x-Juventus (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 11)
2. x-Manchester City (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
3. z-Borussia Monchengladbach (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 5)
4. z-Sevilla (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS: 3)

x-Clinched berth in Champions League knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament but still alive for berth in Europa League knockout stage

UEFA Champions League, Group C: Eagles, Mattress Makers To Knockout Stage

Two games were contested in Group C of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

At Astana, Kazakhstan:
Benfica fight back to eliminate Astana
Raul Jimenez scored twice (40', 72') as SL Benfica battled back from a two-goal deficit and gained a 2-2 road draw with Astana.  Patrick Twumasi (19') and Marin Anicic (31') provided the scoring for the hosts, who were eliminated from the tournament.  Here's Astana's Nemanja Maksimovic battling with the knockout-stage-bound Eagles' Andreas Samaris for the ball.

Getty Images photo

At Madrid:

Antoine Griezmann scored both goals (13', 65'; that's him, on the left, celebrating with teammates after his second tally) in Atletico Madrid's 2-0 blanking of visiting Galatasaray as the Mattress Makers locked up a berth in the Champions League's knockout stage.

AFP/Getty Images photo

Group C Standings:

1. x-SL Benfica (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
2. x-Atletico Madrid  
3. z-Galatasaray
4. z-FC Astana (GP: 5; GD: -6; PTS: 3)

x-Clinched berth in Champions League knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament but still alive for berth in Europa League knockout stage

UEFA Champions League, Group B: Wolfsburg Knock Off Horses On Road; Red Devils, PSV Battle To Scoreless Draw

Two games were played in Group B of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

At Khimki, Russia:

Igor Akinfeev (OG-67') and Andre Schurrle (88') each scored once as PSV Wolfsburg moved to the top of the group by blanking CSKA Moscow 2-0 on the road, eliminating the Horses from the tournament (though CSKA can still gain a berth in the Europa League's knockout stage).  Here are the happy Wolfsburg players celebrating one of the goals scored in this match.

At Manchester, England:

PSV Eindhoven held hosts Manchester United to a 0-0 stalemate.  Here, we see the Red Devils' Anthony Martial battling with PSV's Joshua Brenet for the ball.

Getty Images photos

Group B Standings:

1.    VfL Wolfsburg (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
2.    Manchester United (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 8)
3.    PSV Eindhoven (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 7)
4. z-CSKA Moscow (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 4)

z-Eliminated from tournament but still alive for Europa League knockout-stage berth

UEFA Champions League, Group A: Galacticos Win Group; PSG Advance To Knockout Stage Too After Demolishing Malmo

Two of the eight games that were contested in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday were played in Group A.

At Malmo, Sweden:
Ibrahimović's scoring return as Paris thrash Malmö
Angel Di Maria scored twice (14', 68') as Paris Saint-Germain destroyed hosts Malmo FF 5-0 to lay claim to a berth in the Champions League's knockout stage.  Here's PSG's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrating after scoring against his former club in the 50th minute.

At Lviv, Ukraine:

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice (18', 70', that's him celebrating after scoring his first goal) as Real Madrid locked up top spot in Group A after blowing a four-goal lead but hanging on for a 4-3 road win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

AFP/Getty Images photos

Group A Standings:

1. y-Real Madrid (GP: 5; GD: +8; PTS: 13)
2. x-Paris Saint-Germain (GP: 5; GD: +9; PTS: 10)
3. z-Shakhtar Donetsk (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 3)
4. z-Malmo FF (GP: 5; GD: -12; PTS: 3)

y-Won Group A and clinched berth in Champions League knockout stage

x-Clinched berth in Champions League knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament but still alive for berth in Europa League knockout stage

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

UEFA Champions League, Group H: Zenit Wrap Up Group Title; Gent Climb Up To Second After Beating Lyon In France

Two games were contested on Tuesday in Group H of the UEFA Champions League.

At Saint Petersburg, Russia:

Oleg Shatov (15', shown here) and Artyom Dzyuba (74') delivered the goals as Zenit Saint Petersburg won the Group H crown with their 2-0 home blanking of Valencia.

At Lyon, France:

Kalifa Coulibaly scored the winning goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time as KAA Gent climbed up to second place in Group H with their 2-1 road win over Lyon, eliminating the French club from European competition in the process.   Here are the happy Gent players celebrating after their big victory.
AFP/Getty Images photos

Group H Standings:

1. y-FC Zenit Saint Petersburg (GP: 5; GD: +8; PTS: 15)
2.    KAA Gent (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 7)
3.    Valencia (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 6)
4. o-Lyon (GP: 5; GD: -6; PTS: 1)

y-Won Group H and clinched berth in knockout stage

o-Eliminated from European competition

UEFA Champions League, Group G: Chelsea, Porto, Dynamo Kiev Battle For Knockout-Stage Berths Heading Into Final Match Day; Maccabi Tel Aviv Out Of European Competition

Two games were played in Group G of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

At Porto, Portugal:

Andriy Yarmolenko (PK-35') and Derlis Gonzalez (64') each scored a goal as Dynamo Kiev knocked off FC Porto 2-0 on the road.  Here's the scoring twosome celebrating after Derlis' (left) insurance tally.

At Haifa, Israel:

Gary Cahill (that's him celebrating with Willian after scoring)got the scoring started in the 20th minute as Chelsea blasted Maccabi Tel Aviv 4-0 on the road and short-circuited the Israeli club's European adventure.  Willian scored himself in the 73rd minute for the Blues.

AFP/Getty Images photos

Group G Standings:

1.    FC Porto (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
2.    Chelsea (GP: 5; GD: +8; PTS: 10)
3.    Dynamo Kiev (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 8)
4. o-Maccabi Tel Aviv FC (GP: 5; GD: -14; PTS: 0)

o-Eliminated from European competition

NOTE: Porto defeated Chelsea 2-1 at home on September 29 in the first of two group-stage contests between the clubs.