More teams were guaranteed or virtually through or eliminated from the Champions League last night as the groups get down to the tail end of them.
Group E: Roma gained an edge over their closest rivals with a 3-2 win over Basle in Switzerland. Jeremy Menez gave Roma the lead after 19 minutes before veteran Totti doubled their lead from the spot ten minutes later. Alexander Frei pulled one back for Basle after 63 minutes but substitute Leandro Greco restored Roma's two goal lead thirteen minutes later. Xherdan Shaqiri set up a tense final seven minutes by making it 3-2 but Valentin Stocker received a second yellow card in injury time to prevent the equaliser. Roma now move onto six points whereas Basle are on three.
Bayern Munich have sealed their progression as they comfortably beat CFR Cluj. A hat-trick form Mario Gomez (on 12, 24 and 70 minutes) was rounded off by substitute Thomas Muller in second half injury time. Bayern still have maximum points from four games while Cluj will have to battle it out with Basle and Roma as they are also on three points.
Group F: Chelsea also secured their second round place with another comfortable victory over Spartak Moscow. After a goalless first half Anelka broke the deadlock four minutes after the restart with Drogba doubling the score from the spot after 62 minutes. In form defender Ivanovic the made it 3-0 seven minutes later. Substitute Nikita Bazhenov scored a consolation four minutes from the end before Ivanovic added his second in injury time. Chelsea still have maximum points with Moscow on six.
MSK Zilina were battered 7-0 at home to Marseille as their elimination was guaranteed. Gignac opened the scoring after twelve minutes before adding a second nine minutes later. Defender Gabriel Heinze made it three after 24 minutes and Loic Remy made it four nine minutes before half-time. Lucho Gonzalez made it five six minutes after the restart with Gignac getting his hat-trick three minutes. Gonzalez then rounded it off with his second after 63 minutes. Zilina are still yet to score a point whereas Marseille are stuck in a battle with Spartak as both are on six points.
Group G: Auxerre caused a stir in the group of death after beating Ajax in France. Frederic Sammaritano put the hosts ahead after nine minutes. Toby Alderweireld equalised with ten minutes to go but substitute Steeven Langil assured Auxerre of all three points four minutes later. This leaves Ajax on four points with Auxerre just a point behind and will be unable to win the group.
Real Madrid are virtually through after a 2-2 with AC Milan, although the game may be remembered for more Cristiano Ronaldo play acting. Gonzalo Higauin put the Spanish giants ahead right on the half-time whistle but veteran substitute Filippo Inzaghi equalised after 68 minutes. Inzaghi then gave Milan the lead ten minutes later before substitute Pedro Leon rescued a point in injury time for Madrid. This leaves Madrid on ten points with Milan currently second on five.
Group H: A solitary goal from Moises after 35 minutes was enough for Braga to beat Partizan Belgrade. Braga now move up to six points and must win at least one of their remaining games and hope one of the other teams loses their two. Partizan are eliminated as they are still yet to score a point.
Arsenal and Shakhtar Donestk are almost through as they both have nine points. Arsenal took the lead in Ukraine after ten minutes thanks to Walcott. Shakhtar Donetsk equalised through a Craig Eastmond own goal after 28 minutes. Shakhtar then secured all three points just before half time with another goal from Eduardo against his former club.
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