Soccer: Champions League round-up

[AFC1986]

credit: sky sports



Celtic booked their place in the last 16 of the Uefa Champions League with victory over Manchester United, while Arsenal moved to within a point of qualification after a 3-1 victory over Hamburg.

The Scottish champions rode their luck for large periods at Parkhead - but a sublime free kick from Shunsuke Nakamura just nine minutes from time gave Celtic the win.

It could have been much different had Louis Saha not missed a late penalty for The Red Devils - but it was not to be as Celtic held on for their first ever win over United, and in-turn booked their place in the next phase.

United now meet Benfica at Old Trafford in two weeks knowing a point will be enough for them to progress, after the Portuguese giants kept their hopes of qualification alive with a 3-1 win over Copenhagen.

Two quick-fire goals from Leo (14) and Fabrizio Miccoli (16) set Benfica on their way before their Italian playmaker added another before the break.

Marcus Allback added a late consolation for the Danes who are now out of Europe.

Arsenal, like United, need a point in their final game after they claimed their win over Hamburg - although they were forced to come from behind at Emirates Stadium.

A wonder strike from Rafael van der Vaart gave Hamburg a shock lead after just four minutes, but a terrific second half showing saw Arsene Wenger's men claim the crucial win.

Robin van Persie levelled on 52 minutes before Emmanuel Eboue put them ahead. The win was sealed late on when Julio Baptista headed home Theo Walcott's cross.

One negative note for Arsenal is that captain Thierry Henry picked up a second yellow card - which rules him out of their match at Porto who earlier in the day completed a 2-0 win over CSKA Moscow, with goals from Ricardo Quaresma and captain Lucho Gonzalez.

Lyon sealed top spot in Group E after a 2-2 draw at The Bernabeu with Real Madrid.

The French champions had stormed into a two-goal lead through John Carew (11) and Florent Malouda (32). But Real hit back to seal a share of the spoils through Mahamadou Diarra (39) and Ruud van Nistelrooy (83) - although the Dutchman missed a great chance to win it as he saw a late penalty saved by Gregory Coupet.

Dynamo Kiev bowed out of Europe after being held to a 1-1 draw with Steaua Bucharest in the Romanian capital.

Florin Cernet gave Dynamo the lead on the half hour as his long-range free kick evaded everyone before nestling in the net.

The point Steaua needed came thanks to a strike from Nicolae Dica as he turned before his shot deflected past Alexander Shovkovsky.

Milan booked their spot in the group stages despite suffering a 1-0 loss to AEK Athens in Group H.

The Italians went down to a Julio Cesar free kick on the half hour - as AEK moved second.

The Greeks are now firm favourites to progress as Lille need to get something against Milan from their final game - after they slipped to a 2-2 home draw with Anderlecht.

The French outfit were twice ahead at The Felix Bollaert but they were pegged back quickly on each occasion.

Peter Odemwingie put Lille ahead on 28 minutes after a mistake from Olivier Deschacht, but Mbo Mpenza pounced before the interval to level.

Just 60 seconds into the second half and Nicolas Fauvergue had smashed Lille ahead yet again - but Mpenza was there again to deny Lille the win.

[Dark Drakan]

Shocking, United were really damn good for most the game but couldnt score! But that freekick was superb!