💫 Man Utd sulk out of Europe; Madrid perfect; Vital Napoli & Benfica wins | OneFootball

The Champions League group stages are almost wrapped up, and some big results took place.

Here is what went down on Tuesday.

Man Utd’s troubles continue

Scorer: Coman 70′

Bayern Munich’s slim win at Old Trafford, alongside other results, knocked Manchester United out of Europe.

The visitors were on the front foot, with Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane particularly lively. Harry Maguire played a big role in keeping things deadlocked.

Unfortunately for United, that man was forced off injured just before the break, and it proved to be a massive blow.

Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes were virtually non-existent, and nobody else wearing red could muster up the courage to strike first.

Then, out of nowhere, the visitors grabbed the lead via Kingsley Coman. He was left unmarked in the box, walked through and beat Andre Onana with ease. It could have been different if Maguire was available.

Bayern Munich finished top of the group, Copenhagen second, Galatasaray third and United fourth.

Copenhagen reach knockouts

Scorer: Lerager 58′

Copenhagen and Galatasaray were licking their lips as a win would secure a Round of 16 spot while simultaneously condemning Manchester United.

However, a shocking zero shots on target combined had things level at the break.

Eventually, it took one moment of brilliance to finally separate the two sides and Lukas Lerager opened the scoring for the hosts.

A slick team move resulted in him deflecting the ball beyond goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

Lerager was later sent off with a second yellow card, but Galatasaray couldn’t capitalise and will now play in the Europa League.

Bayern Munich finished top of the group, Copenhagen second, Galatasaray third and United fourth.

Perfect Madrid tested by Union

Scorer: Volland 45+1′, Král 85′; Joselu 60′, 74′, Ceballos 89′

Real Madrid wrapped up a perfect group stage in Berlin, but the hosts made them work for it!

Union tested Kepa on a handful of occasions, and their unified defence stunted Madrid’s attack in the first half.

To make matters worse for the visitors, Luka Modric missed a penalty just before the break and within minutes, Kevin Volland remained composed to blast home the opener.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men managed to shake off the shock as Joselu equalised around the hour mark before a second diving header was put on a plate by Modric for the turnaround.

A late Alex Král goal piled on the pressure, but Madrid’s experience proved to be too much as Dani Ceballos responded with a goal of his own to win it late on.

Madrid finished first in their group and Union Berlin fourth.

Napoli reach knockouts

Scorer: Saatçı (OG) 9′, Osimhen 33′

Napoli claimed a spot in the knockouts after a determined first-half showing over Braga.

Unfortunately for the visitors, Matteo Politano forced an own goal out of Serdar Saatçı to make it an uphill climb.

Victor Osimhen eventually doubled the lead with a backheel flick after a slick counterattack to put the Serie A champions in cruise control.

The Portuguese visitors didn’t have anything in the tank to pull off a comeback and will therefore play Europa League football.

Real Sociedad pip Inter to first

First place in the group was up for grabs, and Real Sociedad beat Inter to it.

Both teams have played some thoroughly entertaining football this year, but an edge was missing throughout the match in Italy.

Only four shots hit the target combined at two apiece, which will be something both clubs will want to shake off heading into the Round of 16.

Benfica survive to reach UEL

Scorers: Sučić 57′; Di Maria 32′, Silva 45+1′, Cabral 90+3′

A tough test awaited Benfica away from home but they managed to hold on at Salzburg.

Thankfully for the visitors, they had the experience of Angel Di Maria to rely on and he showed his class by scoring directly from a corner.

The opener fuelled Benfica’s spirits too, and Rafa Silva doubled things just before the break by getting just enough of a touch inside the box.

Luka Sučić managed to pull one back via a deflected shot from range, but a second goal was nowhere to be found for the hosts.

They fell just short of survival as a late Arthur Cabral goal off the bench proved Benfica’s insurance marker.

The result means the Portuguese side will play in the Europa League while Salzburg are out.

From earlier…

Lens knock Sevilla out of Europe

Scorer: Frankowski 64′ (P), Fulgini 90+6′; Ramos 80′ (P)

Europa League holders and record-winners Sevilla will not play in Europe whatsoever after a loss to Lens.

The visitors had the hosts on the ropes in the first half, but no chances truly threatened goalkeeper Brice Samba. The wasted chances came back to haunt them.

Lens were awarded a penalty against the run of play, which went down as their first shot on target.

Facundo Medina appeared to have tripped over his own feet, yet VAR still upheld the decision and Przemysław Frankowski blasted home.

Sevilla were handed a lifeline with 15 minutes to go as Medina then conceded a penalty. Sergio Ramos’ shot was initially saved, but Samba was off his line. The former Real Madrid man then equalised with a panenka.

A late goal from Angelo Fulgini on the break, however, broke the Spanish cub’s hearts as Lens reached the Europa League.

Away struggles follow Arsenal

Scorers: Vertessen 50′; Nketiah 42′

Arsenal suffered another slip-up away from the Emirates after a 1-1 draw with PSV Eindhoven.

The hosts registered 10 shots in the first half, the most the Gunners have faced in all competitions this season. However, nothing truly forced Aaron Ramsdale to work.

Arsenal’s heavily rotated lineup handled the pressure and made the most of their first shot on target. Eddie Nketiah hit off the post and in for his first Champions League goal.

Coming out after the break, however, things started going PSV’s way. Yorbe Vertessen found space and equalised with a shot of his own off the far post.

Jakub Kiwior later had the ball in the net for the Gunners late on, but VAR said Gabriel’s offside position interfered and ruled the header out, seeing the points shared.

Buckle up!