With the first half of the groups playing their penultimate group games yesterday, we saw more teams progress into the last 16 and not many places are left to be fought for in the last group game.
Group A: Inter Milan secured their place after beating FC Twente in the San Siro. A 55 minute goal from Esteban Cambiasso was enough to see Rafa Benitez's side edge past the Dutch side.
Tottenham became only the second team in the history of the Champions League to progress into the knockout rounds in their debut season, Shalke were the only previous team. They managed it with a 3-0 win over Werder Bremen. Younes Kaboul scored his second goal in as many matches after just six minutes. Luka Modric added the second just before half-time and Crouch scored the third eleven minutes from time. Gareth Bale also missed a penalty during the match.
Group B: Shalke also progressed after beating Lyon 3-0 in Germany. The former PSV boys were at it again with Farfan opening the scoring after 13 minutes. Huntelaar added the second seven minutes later before scoring his second just before second half injury time. Lyon are within touching distance of qualifying as they are three points ahead of Benfica.
Who missed their chance to level with Lyon after suffering a surprise 3-0 defeat away to Hapoel Tel-Aviv. Eran Zahavi put the Israelis ahead after 24 minutes. Douglas Da Silva got their second after 74 minutes before Zahavi scored his second goal in second half injury time.
Group C: After being denied a penalty in the opening three minutes, Manchester United beat Rangers with a penalty three minutes from the end when Naismith kicked Fabio in the head/chest area. Who else but the returning Wayne Rooney stepped up to take it and sent McGregor the wrong way to put United through and send Rangers home. United are still to concede in the group stage and no team has ever gone through the whole group stage without conceding.
Bursaspor scored their first goal of the competition but were beaten 6-1 by Valencia in the Mestalla. Valencia were 4-0 ahead at half-time, Juan Mata opened the scoring from the spot after 17 minutes. Roberto Soldado scored the second four minutes later with Artiz Aduriz grabbing the third on the half hour mark. Joaquin ended the first half rout with Valencia's fourth seven minutes later. It took just ten minutes into the second half before Soldado scored his second and Valencia's fifth. Bursaspor's first Champions League goal came from substitute Pablo Batalla after 69 minutes. Valencia substitute Alejandro Dominguez got the sixth after 78 minutes to ensure Valencia's qualification in style.
Group D: Rubin Kazan kept their qualification hopes alive with a 1-0 win against Copenhagen in Russia. The only goal came from Christian Noboa who converted from the penalty spot right on half-time. The win sees Rubin move to within a point of Copenhagen with the final group game left to play.
Barcelona secured their place into the last 16 with a 3-0 win over Panathinaikos. Pedro opened the scoring after 27 minutes. Lionel Messi was on the score sheet yet again, after 62 minutes before Pedro scored his second seven minutes later.
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