At the end of a courageous match, Lens snatched victory against Sevilla FC (2-1) on the last day of the group stage of the Champions League, on December 12. They are extending their European season and will compete in the Europa League play-offs in the spring. For its part, Manchester United could not do anything against Bayern Munich (0-1) and will no longer see Europe this season.
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Humiliated on November 29 on the Arsenal pitch and already eliminated from the race for the round of 16 of the Champions League, the Lensois managed to remobilize for this last match of the group stage by securing victory in the final moments at Bollaert against Sevilla FC (2-1 ).
In a meeting generally dominated by Sevilla FC, the Lensois were first saved by a save from Brice Samba on a superb strike which flew under the bar of Ivan Rakitić (29th). After a sluggish first period ending with a goalless score, the Sevillians finally thought they would find the net thanks to Pedrosa, who saw his shot end up on the Lens goalpost (57th).
A few minutes later, well served by Wahi, Medina recovered the ball in the area and obtained a penalty after a collision with Soumaré. Frankowski does not tremble and opens the scoring with a powerful strike (63rd, 1-0). Sevilla then had the opportunity to equalize thanks to a penalty obtained after a foul by Medina on En-Nesyri, but Sergio Ramos first came up against the firm hand of Samba (77th) before the referee have the penalty withdrawn. The Spaniard made no mistake during his second attempt by deceiving the Lens goalkeeper with a beautiful panenka (79th, 1-1).
It was in added time that the Lensois snatched the victory, thanks to a ball recovered by Sotoca and perfectly given to Fulgini who slipped it into the right side of the net (90th + 6, 2-1). This final success allows Franck Haise’s men to qualify in front of their home crowd for the Europa League play-offs. Lens will have its European spring!
Manchester United leaves Europe
In a bad position in his group after an impressive draw against Galatasaray (3-3) on the previous day, Manchester United no longer had any room for error against Bayern Munich, undefeated and already qualified for the round of 16. But the hoped-for surge did not take place and the Mancuniens were logically dominated by the Munich residents (0-1).
Very quickly dangerous in the match, the Bavarians worried the opposing goalkeeper several times during the first period. But Kane lacked cutting precision in front of Onana (10th), while Maguire could have conceded a penalty after contact with Musiala (17th). A powerful strike from Shaw then forced Neuer to deploy his fists to protect his cage (23rd). The Red Devils then suffered a hard blow by losing Maguire to injury following a clash with Sané (37th).
Powerless in attack and unable to really worry Bayern Munich, the Mancuniens slowly lost the thread of their match in the second half. Kingsley Coman ended up concretizing Bavarian domination by opening the scoring after a superb deflection from Harry Kane (71st, 0-1). Apathetic, Erik Ten Hag’s men never found the solution to exist against Bayern and were eliminated from all European competition. Sensation on the other hand in the other meeting of the group: FC Copenhagen qualified for the round of 16 for the first time since 2010 by winning against Galatasaray (1-0).
Results of the 6th day
Tuesday December 12
Group A
FC Copenhagen – Galatasaray 1-0
Manchester United – Bayern Munich 0-1
Group B
PSV Eindhoven – Arsenal 1-1
Lens – Sevilla FC 2-1
Group C
Union Berlin – Real Madrid 2-3
Naples – Braga 2-0
Group D
RB Salzburg – Benfica 1-3
Inter Milan – Real Sociedad 0-0