Paris Saint-Germain threatens a hammer loss because Benfica turns up late: Roger Schmidt’s team surprisingly wins their group in the Champions League. Real Madrid celebrate a new record for Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola wins and Salzburg misses out.
Defending champions Real Madrid with record-breaking coach Carlo Ancelotti and surprisingly Benfica Lisbon with successful coach Roger Schmidt move into the round of 16 of the Champions League as group winners. Benfica won 6-1 (1-1) at Maccabi Haifa and prevailed in the last minute against the star ensemble Paris St. Germain, who had the same number of points and goals, because of the more away goals scored.
Joao Mario scored decisively in the second minute of added time. Benfica also featured Goncalo Ramos (20′), Petar Musa (59′), Alejandro Grimaldo (69′), Rafa Silva (73′) and Henrique Araújo (88′). Tjaronn Chery (26′) scored the consolation goal for Haifa from the penalty spot.
Real secured first place in Group F ahead of RB Leipzig with an easy 5-1 (2-0) against Celtic Glasgow at the end of the preliminary round. It was Ancelotti’s 102nd Champions League success – the Italian is now the manager with the most wins in the history of the competition.
On the other hand, RB Salzburg’s dream of a knockout round has burst. Austria’s series champion lost the “final” for second place at AC Milan clearly 0: 4 (0: 1). Olivier Giroud (14th minute/57th), Rade Krunic (46th) and Junior Messias (90th 1) scored for Milan. The Europa League remains as a consolation for Salzburg.
Paris with the superstars Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé only managed a narrow 2: 1 (1: 1) at Juventus Turin and had to let an unleashed Benfica pass. Kylian Mbappé (13th) and Nuno Mendes (69th) scored for PSG, Leonardo Bonucci (39th) equalized at times for Juve. Turin must compete in the Europa League after the World Cup. Meanwhile, Paris is threatened with a hammerless in the round of 16 because the French series champions will now meet a group winner.
The remaining six group leaders had already been determined before the last matchday – including Manchester City in the Dortmund group. Pep Guardiola’s team underlined their ambitions even without Torgarant Erling Haaland with a 3-1 (0-1) win over Sevilla FC. Chelsea finished their group with a 2-1 (2-1) win over Dinamo Zagreb.
The draw for the round of 16 of the premier class will take place on Monday (12.00 CET) at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon. The first legs increase on 14./15. as well as on 21./22. February, the second leg is for 7./8. and 14./15. March 2023 planned. The group winners have home rights in the second leg. A duel between the German teams in the round of 16 is not yet possible. Teams from the same country or group can only meet from the quarter-finals onwards.
