Champions League round-up: Napoli, Copenhagen reach round of 16 as Man Utd limp out of Europe
Napoli and Copenhagen both won to book their places in the UEFA Champions League round of 16, while Real Sociedad took first place in Group D thanks to a draw at Inter, while Bayern Munich's narrow win at Old Trafford, among other results, knocked Manchester United out of Europe.
Here's how the action unfolded
Napoli 2-0 Braga
Scorers: Saatçı (OG) 9′, Osimhen 33′
Napoli advanced to the last 16 of the Champions League after Victor Osimhen scored on his first Champions League appearance since October.
Braga defender Serdar Saatçı steered a cross against the crossbar and into his own net, before Osimhen back-heeled a low cross into the net.
Braga had chances, with captain Ricardo Horta hitting the post, and they now advance to the Europa League knockout round play-offs.
Union Berlin 2-3 Real Madrid
Scorers: Volland 45+1′, Král 85′; Joselu 60′, 74′, Ceballos 89′
Madrid came back from a goal down to complete a perfect Group C record, while also denying Union Berlin the chance to advance to the Europa League.
Kevin Volland's goal seconds after Luka Modrić's penalty was saved put the hosts ahead and in position to claim third place given Braga's deficit at Napoli.
However, a pair of Joselu headers turned the game around, and Dani Ceballos settled it late on after Alex Král's strike appeared to have earned the hosts a point.
Copenhagen 1-0 Galatasaray
Scorers: Lerager 58′
With a knockout-stage spot guaranteed for the winners, Lukas Lerager settled an intense Group A finale in Copenhagen, slotting in from Elias Achouri's 58th-minute cross to send his side to the round of 16 for the first time since 2010/11.
The hosts survived Lerager's dismissal for a second booking in added time, thanks to late saves from goalkeeper Kamil Grabara on Mauro Icardi and Hakim Ziyech.
Galatasaray finish third and hence qualify for the UEFA Europa League knockout round play-offs.
Man United 0-1 Bayern
Scorers: Coman 70′
As Group A winners Bayern Munich edged a tense encounter at Old Trafford, Kingsley Coman's clinical close-range finish ended Manchester United's hopes of reaching the last 16.
After latching on to Harry Kane's clever through ball, Coman steered his emphatic strike out of André Onana's reach with 20 minutes remaining.
The Red Devils, who needed to win to have any chance of qualifying for the Champions League after the winter break, started both halves brightly, with Luke Shaw forcing a save from Manuel Neuer and captain Bruno Fernandes curling an effort wide, but were unable to break through and finished the campaign bottom of the group.
Inter 0-0 Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad won a Champions League group for the first time in their history and advanced to the knockout stage, conceding only two goals throughout the competition.
With both teams already through to the last 16 and tied on points, the visitors earned the draw they needed to top Group D in a game with few clear-cut chances.
A goal-line clearance by Hamari Traoré prevented Inter from taking the lead just before halftime, but both goalkeepers were relatively untested, with defenses holding firm in a high-quality but low-dramatic match.
Salzburg 1-3 Benfica
Scorers: Sučić 57′; Di Maria 32′, Silva 45+1′, Cabral 90+3′
Evergreen Ángel Di María inspired Benfica to a dramatic victory in Salzburg to earn a place in the Europa League knockout play-off round. Di María curled in direct from a corner and then set up Rafa Silva to score before halftime.
Luka Sučić restored Salzburg's hopes just before the hour mark, but after a slew of missed chances and a tense finish, Arthur Cabral's 92nd-minute back-heel sparked wild Benfica celebrations.
PSV 1-1 Arsenal
Scorers: Vertessen 50′; Nketiah 42′
The top two in Group B met with progress and positions already established, but the game was still entertaining. Both teams came close, with Yorbe Vertessen and Mohamed Elneny hitting the post, before Eddie Nketiah finished off an incisive move just before the break.
PSV came back, with Vertessen equalizing at the start of the second period, and either team could have won. Ismael Saibari hit the upright and Leandro Trossard was denied at the death as the match ended all square.
Lens 2-1 Sevilla
Scorers: Frankowski 64′ (P), Fulgini 90+6′; Ramos 80′ (P)
The French side, who needed only a draw to finish third and qualify for the Europa League knockout round play-offs, snatched a dramatic late winner, leaving Sevilla winless in the group.
After second-half penalties from Przemysław Frankowski and Sergio Ramos, substitute Angelo Fulgini streaked away to slot an added-time second as the visitors committed men forward in search of the winner they needed to overtake the hosts.
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