Manchester United survived a scare to take top spot in their
European Champions League group by beating Benfica 3-1 on
Wednesday, while Arsenal also finished top in Group G after a
scoreless draw in Porto.
The result in Portugal rendered CSKA Moscow's 3-2 defeat to
Hamburg irrelevant, while Lille edged out AEK Athens for the
runners-up spot in Group H behind Milan.
Benfica took the lead in stunning circumstances at Old
Traffordon 28 minutes when Nelson thumped home a brilliant drive
from 25 yards.
United drew level at the end of the first half when Nemanja
Vidic rose to head home Ryan Giggs's free-kick.
Giggs was on hand with a header to put United in front on 61
minutes and Louis Saha's header 15 minutes from time sealed his
side's progress to the second round.
Celtic endured a torrid start in Denmark, falling behind after
just two minutes when Atiba Hutchinson nipped in to score.
And things turned for the worse on 27 minutes when former
Chelsea winger Jesper Gronkjaer steered home from close range.
To complete the set, Celtic conceded a third goal for the third
away game in a row in the competition when Marcus Allback steered
the ball home on 57 minutes.
Celtic did claim a consolation through Jiri Jarosik on 75
minutes, but another meeting with a Premiership side is a live
possibility after Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal all topped their
groups.
Arsenal secured top spot in Group G after a 0-0 draw in Porto
and that was enough to take both teams through in a game neither
side showed any great desire to win.
CSKA Moscow forged in front on 23 minutes in Hamburg when Ivica
Olic converted a penalty after Milos Krasic had been brought
down.
But Hamburg, going into the game without a point from the
previous five matches, equalised five minutes later through Besart
Berisha.
The Russians went back in front on 65 minutes through Yuri
Zhirkov, but were denied even a draw by Rafael van der Vaart's
crisp finish on 84 minutes and Boubacar Sanogo's late winner.
Steaua Bucharest rocked Lyon after just three minutes at Stade
Gerland when Nicolae Dica volleyed in from the edge of the
area.
Lyon, though, levelled on 12 minutes when Alou Diarra was given
space to head home Kim Kallstrom's corner to consolidate their
position at the top of Group E.
Dynamo Kiev made the most of only having pride to play for after
taking a 2-0 lead inside half an hour against Real Madrid.
Maxim Shatskikh guided the ball home on 13 minutes and bundled
home the second goal on 27 minutes.
But Real rallied in the closing stages to claim a 2-2 draw after
Ronaldo pulled one back and then equalised from the spot after
being awarded a soft penalty.
In Group H, Milan had already clinched top spot and could afford
to field an under-strength team in losing 2-0 at home to Lille.
Peter Odemwingie scored early, and Abdulkader Keita netted in
the second half to take Lille through to the knockout phase
Anderlecht could only avoid bottom spot if they won and Lille
lost, and for a long time the Belgians were upholding their end
ofthe bargain.
Anthony vanden Borre put Anderlecht in front on 38 minutes and
Nicolas Frutos added a second goal on 64 minutes.
AEK then launched into a spirited comeback as Vassilis Lakis and
Bruno Cirillo scored within the space of five minutes, but the
Greeks were unable to find a winner and must settle for the UEFA
Cup.
(Xinhua News Agency December 7, 2006)