Agence France-Presse
Turin, Nov 26: A first-half strike from Mario Mandzukic saw last season’s beaten finalists Juventus into the last 16 of the Champions League with a 1-0 win over injury-hit Manchester City.
City, already qualified following their 3-1 win at Sevilla last time out, travelled here looking to secure top spot in Group D as well as avenge their 1-2 defeat to the Bianconeri at the Etihad Stadium in September. But a second successive defeat to the Italian champions means City now look likely to finish second behind Juve in the group.
“Hats off to the lads, they’ve gifted me qualification with a game to spare,” said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri.
Real Madrid, who had already sealed a place in the last 16 of the Champions League, ensured top spot in Group A with a remarkable 4-3 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. The victory however, again left lingering questions about the defence of the former champions who had conceded four goals to Barcelona in the ‘El Clasico’
Cristiano Ronaldo scored after 18 and 70 minutes while Luka Modric (50th) and Dani Carvajal (52) also struck to put the 10-times European champions in complete command on a freezing night in Donetsk.
The temperature then soared quickly, on the field at least, as Shakhtar netted three times in the closing stages. Brazilian midfielder Alex Teixeira converted a penalty after 77 minutes before Dentinho chested the ball into the net from a corner. Teixeira was again on target with an elegant drive in the 88th minute as the hosts gave Real a huge fright.
Meanwhile at Malmo, it was sweet homecoming for Zlatan Ibrahimovic as PSG routed the hosts 5-0 to also qualify for the quarters as the second-placed team behind Real.
PSG striker Ibrahimovic marked his return to his home town by striking the third goal against the club where he began his professional career before leaving for Ajax in 2001. Angel di Maria scored twice and Adrien Rabiot and Lucas Moura were also on target for the French champions.
Manchester United’s chances of making the last 16 were left hanging in the balance following a frustrating and disappointing goalless draw against PSV Eindhoven at Old Trafford. “We failed to create chances, we lacked creativity in the midfield,” manager Louis van Gaal stated after the game. “We just lacked the drive.”
Atletico Madrid made sure of their place in the knock-out stage with a comfortable 2-0 win against Galatasaray at the Vicente Calderon Stadium. Antoine Griezmann scored a goal in each half as Diego Simeone’s side extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to nine matches.
