The Portuguese soccer champions FC Porto have made it possible for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen to qualify for the Europa League.
Coach Sergio Conceicao’s team won their home game on the last day of the Champions League Group B match against Atlético Madrid 2-1 (2-0) on Tuesday evening, securing first place.
Bayer, who did not get more than 0-0 in the parallel game against FC Bruges, can at least compete in the play-offs of the Europa League after being eliminated from the premier class.
Bruges entered the Champions League round of 16 as runners-up, while top Spanish club Atletico were eliminated as bottom of the group.
Mehdi Taremi (5th) and Stephan Eustaquio (24th) scored for the highly concentrated Portuguese. The goal from Ivan Marcano’s own goal (90+5) came too late for the Spaniards who were frighteningly weak over long stretches.