For the second year running, Roberto Mancini and Manchester City, failed to get past the group stage of Europe’s top competition. The current champions of England, were all but out, and Karim Benzema’s goal seemed to knock the stuff out of them. And although City equalised late on through an Aguero penalty and Mourinho’s men were reduced to 10 men, there was no way back at the Etihad.
Dortmund also secured their place in the next stage, after a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Ajax in Holland.
Arsenal marched into the knockout stage of this season’s Champions League, after a 2-0 home win over Montpellier. Jack Wilshere grabbed his first goal in two years, running into the box to poke in Giroud’s knock down. Lukas Podolski made sure of the three points, smashing in a spectacular second, after another Giroud assist.
Schalke are a point clear of the Gunners after Christian Fuchs gave them a 1-0 home win over Olympiakos, who are certain of a Europa League place.
It was a very straightforward night in Group A, where Porto were already through and Paris Saint-Germain have joined them. Ezequiel Lavezzi scored one in each half as PSG earned a 2-0 win away to Dynamo Kiev. Porto stay a point clear at the top of the group with a 3-0 home win over Dinamo Zagreb, a result that means Kiev will finish third and go into the Europa League.
In other games, AC Milan also qualified, after 3-1 win over Anderlecht at home, while Zenit drew 2-2 with Malaga.
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