Lensois supporters would perhaps have preferred to watch the other matches of the evening this Wednesday. Their crushing defeat against Arsenal (0-6) took away any chance of qualifying for the 8th round of the Champions League. A result which benefits PSV Eindhoven, author of a good comeback on the pitch of Sevilla FC (2-3). The Dutch club will accompany Arsenal in the final phase. Update on other qualified matches and potentials.
Group A: Manchester on the verge of elimination
The Red Devils had to win this Wednesday in Turkey in the lair of Galatasaray to take control of their destiny, but they cracked under the pressure from Istanbul. In this match advanced to 6:45 p.m., the Mancuniens quickly made the break in the first twenty minutes thanks to Garnacho, decisive after his brilliant bicycle this weekend, and a gem from afar from Bruno Fernandes.
But that was without counting on Hakim Ziyech who put the Turks back in the lead twice with free kicks. First in the 29th minute, then in the 62nd, helped by a nice ball from André Onana, to respond to Scott McTominay’s third English goal. The Moroccan then served perfectly in the depth of Akturkoglu who regained the score (3-3, 71st). A crazy draw in favor of Galatasaray who remain, with 5 points, ahead of their evening opponent (4 points) and who will play their qualification against Copenhagen.
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???????????? What an incredible match between Galatasaray and Manchester United, 3-3!
???? Bangers galore, a goalkeeper with soapy hands… It was fun!https://t.co/5uocezx0xK— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) November 29, 2023
The Danes held their ground on Bayern Munich. Dominant throughout, the Munich players, already qualified, never found the fault against Kamil Grabara, despite the tenure of Mathys Tel and Kingsley Coman on the wings. FC Copenhagen is, with 5 points, the best placed to qualify provided they do not lose at home on the last day against the Turks. On the other hand, Manchester United will have to win against Munich, and hope for a draw in the other match to hope to advance. Almost impossible mission.
Group C: Real still dominates Naples
In the shock of group C, there was an air of déjà vu. As in the first leg, Real Madrid won in difficulty (4-2) against Naples, and continues its flawless performance in this Champions League. Trailing (once again as in the first leg) at the start of the match after Giovanni Simeone opened the score (0-1, 9th), the Merengues were quick to react thanks to a nice strike from Rodrygo in the top corner. (1-1, 11th) before the unstoppable Jude Bellingham found the net with a header (2-1, 22nd). At 20 years old, the midfielder has already scored 10 goals in the Champions League.
It was Franck Zambo-Aguissa who tied the two teams (2-2) thanks to a nice half-volley under the bar, before young Nicolas Paz, 19, brought victory to the White House by scoring his first goal this season. Joselu, at the very end of the match, added to the score so as not to return to the locker room with the same score as the first leg.
With this result, Real validates first place in the group while Napoli still ensures its qualification thanks to the draw between Union Berlin and Braga (1-1). The Germans were unable to take advantage of their numerical superiority against Braga after the expulsion of Sikou Niakate, author of a nasty involuntary sole, after half an hour of play. The Portuguese were able to pick up the score at 10 against 11 , before even regaining control of the game, but without seeking victory. With 4 points, Braga will leave with two units ahead of their evening opponent on the last day to seek a third place synonymous with qualification for the Europa League.
Group D: Inter come from afar against Benfica
This is surely one of the groups with the least suspense this season, with Real Sociedad and Inter already qualified with two days to go. However, we had a very nice evening in Lisbon. Benfica, non-existent since the start of the group stage (4 defeats in 4 matches), but transcended by Joao Mario this Wednesday, has long believed to achieve a first success on the European scene this year. The Portuguese midfielder, author of a hat-trick, put his former club through hell in less than 35 minutes.
But the rapid reductions in the score at the start of the second half from Arnautovic and Frattesi completely revived the match. A comeback concluded with a penalty obtained by Marcus Thuram but converted by former Marseillais Alexis Sanchez (3-3, 72nd). A comeback of little importance for Inter who will in any case play first place in two weeks against Real Sociedad not necessarily much more successful at home against Red Bull Salzburg (0-0). The Austrians (4 points) will play for their place in the Europa League on home soil against Lisbon (1 point).
