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Benfica, Villarreal and Bremen into last 16, United out
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-08 09:02
LONDON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Twice former winners Benfica came from behind to
beat Manchester United 2-1 in Lisbon on Wednesday to reach the last 16 of the
Champions League and end the English side's interest in Europe this season.
Rio Ferdinand (C)
and Benfica's Nuno Gomes (L) watch as Geovanni scores a header during
their Champions League Group D soccer match at the Luz Stadium in Lisbon
December 7, 2005. [Reuters] | In a dramatic end to
the group phase, Champions League debutants Villarreal finished as Group D
winners above Benfica after defeating Lille 1-0 in Spain.
Werder Bremen thrashed Panathinaikos 5-1 to grab the last available slot
after Barcelona's late 2-0 win at Udinese ended the Italian side's hopes in
Group C.
On Tuesday, last season's runners-up AC Milan, semi-finalists PSV Eindhoven
and Scotland's Rangers went through.
Already into the hat for the Dec. 16 draw were holders Liverpool, Chelsea,
Bayern Munich, Juventus, Arsenal, Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona, Olympique Lyon,
Real Madrid and Inter Milan.
Juventus secured top spot in Group A with a 3-1 victory at Rapid Vienna on
Wednesday. Bayern finished second after a 1-1 draw at Club Bruges.
Arsenal, already assured of topping Group B, drew 0-0 with second-placed Ajax
at Highbury.
Swiss outsiders Thun gained reward for a spirited first season with the big
boys by securing a place in the UEFA Cup after their goalless draw at Sparta
Prague put them above the Czechs in Group B.
KNOCKOUT STAGE
United, who beat Benfica to lift the first of their two European Cups in
1968, were bidding to reach the knockout stage for a record 10th successive
season but needed a victory to be certain.
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