National soccer player Kai Havertz impressively stormed into the round of 16 of the Champions League with Arsenal FC.
The top English club celebrated a clear 6-0 (5-0) against RC Lens from France, who were overwhelmed at times, and thus secured their victory in Group B ahead of schedule. Havertz opened the scoring with his goal to make it 1-0 (13th minute).
PSV Eindhoven was also able to celebrate thanks to the success of the Londoners. Former Bundesliga coach Peter Bosz’s team had already won 3-2 (0-1) at Sevilla FC a few hours earlier and is also secure in the knockout round thanks to the Lens defeat.
Lens and Sevilla will play in a direct duel for third place in two weeks and thus for overwintering in the Europa League.
United on the verge of elimination – Real flawless
The English record champions Manchester United are now facing an early exit. In the cauldron of Istanbul, coach Erik ten Hag’s team had to be content with a 3:3 (2:1) against Galatasaray after a 3:1 lead.
This means that United no longer has a place in the round of 16 in Bayern Group A in their own hands and will go into the final matchday as bottom of the group. Galatasaray is second and would be through with a win in the direct duel against FC Copenhagen.
Real Madrid, however, continues to perform flawlessly in the current Champions League season. Thanks to another goal from Jude Bellingham, Los Blancos won their home game against SSC Napoli 4:2 (2:1). Due to the defeat, the Italian champions missed early qualification for the round of 16, with the final against Sporting Braga on the last match day.
Inter’s comeback in Lisbon
Benfica Lisbon under German coach Roger Schmidt lost a comfortable 3-0 half-time lead against Inter Milan and missed out on their first win of the season in the premier class with a score of 3-3 (3-0).
With one point in their account, the Portuguese only have a theoretical chance of third place in the upcoming duel with RB Salzburg. In the second game of Group D, the Austrians drew 0-0 at Real Sociedad San Sebastian.