All doubts were already eliminated at half-time: Arsenal FC are in the round of 16 of the Champions League as group winners. The “Gunners” scored five goals in the first half of a 6-0 win against RC Lens on Wednesday (November 29th, 2023).
Kai Havertz opened the scoring in the 13th minute, Gabriel Jesus (21st), Bukayo Saka (24th) and Gabriel Martinelli (28th) added a hat-trick within seven minutes. Martin Odegaard increased again shortly before the half-time whistle (45.+1). Shortly before the end, Jorginho scored from the penalty spot to make the final score (86′).
Thanks to the clear success, Arsenal’s group victory can no longer be taken away, and the English also ensured that PSV Eindhoven could celebrate. The Dutch beat Sevilla FC 3-2 away early on Wednesday evening despite being 2-0 down and are also second in the round of 16 thanks to the help from London. Lens could still draw level on points on the last matchday, but lost the direct comparison against Eindhoven.
Goal spectacle in Madrid and Lisbon
The games between Real Madrid and SSC Napoli as well as Benfica Lisbon and Inter Milan were similarly high in goals. The “Royal” defeated the Italian champions 4:2 (2:1) after an early deficit and secured group victory – Jude Bellingham was once again one of the goalscorers.
Lisbon, on the other hand, missed out on their first win in the group stage despite a three-goal lead. Coach Roger Schmidt’s team dominated the first half and looked like the sure winners after Joao Mario’s hat trick (5th/13th/34th), but then collapsed.
Marko Arnautovic (51′), Davide Frattesi (58′) and Lautaro Martinez (72’/penalty) ensured the 3-3 draw and the point win for Inter, who drew goalless from RB Salzburg on the last matchday against Real Sociedad ) plays for group victory.
Only a miracle can help Man United
Manchester United, on the other hand, is about to be eliminated – and that because the “Red Devils” also handled their leadership sloppily. Alejandro Garnacho (11th) and Bruno Fernandes (18th) gave Galatasaray a comfortable lead early on, while Scott McTominay (55th) gave Galatasaray a two-goal lead again after half-time. Hakim Ziyech (29th/62nd) was able to reconnect, Kerem Aktürkoglu (71st) then made the final score 3-3.
This means that the winner of the final game between FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray will advance to the round of 16 of the Champions League. Manchester only has a chance of reaching the next round with a win against Bayern Munich and a draw in the parallel game.
