Referee Zwayer causes CL trouble
A sly dream goal saves Schmidt and Benfica
December 12, 2023, 11:34 p.m
At the very last minute, Benfica Lisbon saved itself in third place in its Champions League group. The German coach’s team achieved what Sergio Ramos and Sevilla FC were denied: qualifying for the Europa League. FC Copenhagen seals the end of Manchester United.
Roger Schmidt can at least continue in the Europa League with Benfica Lisbon after a botched Champions League season. The German coach won Portugal’s football champions 3-1 (2-0) at FC Salzburg and moved up to third place in Group D. This entitles you to take part in the Europa League from next year. For the Austrians, however, the European Cup season is over.
Ángel Di María (32nd minute) with a directly converted corner and Rafa Silva (45th + 1) had initially put Roger Schmidt’s team in Salzburg on course for the Europa League. But then Luka Sučić (57th) shortened the score for the hosts. Only a two-goal win secured Benfica’s winter stay in Europe – and substitute Arthur Cabral scored the decisive goal in the second minute of added time. The “final” for group victory between Real Sociedad San Sebastian and Inter Milan with the same number of points ended 0-0 – so the Spaniards go into the round of 16 first on goal difference.
Sevilla FC, on the other hand, cannot defend its title as winner of the Europa League after being eliminated from the Champions League. The Andalusians lost 1-2 (0-0) at RC Lens and only finished fourth behind the French in Group B. Sevilla, record holders with seven titles in the UEFA Cup or the Europa League, would have needed a win to be in to winter in Europe.
Angelo Fulgini scored the winning goal for Lens (90+6). The previous goals came from foul penalties, both times the decision of the German referee Felix Zwayer was controversial. Przemyslaw Frankowski converted for the hosts (63′), Sergio Ramos scored the equalizer (80′) – in the second attempt: he failed in the first, but goalkeeper Brice Samba had moved too early.
Copenhagen throws out Manchester United
In the second encounter between PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal FC it was all about the prize of 2.8 million euros – it was divided by the 1:1 (0:1). Nothing could change in the table anyway: the hosts were already second in the group because of the direct comparison they won with Lens, and the Gunners were unassailable first.
SSC Napoli and FC Copenhagen also made it to the round of 16. The Italian champions beat SC Braga 2-0 (2-0). An own goal from Serdar Saatci (9th) and the Nigerian top striker Victor Osimhen (33rd) ensured the confident success against Braga and thus secured second place, which entitles them to take part in the round of 16.
Surprisingly, Copenhagen also made it into the knockout phase of the premier class for the second time after the 2010/2011 season. Lukas Lerager (58th) made it through to the next round with his goal against Galatasaray. Galatasaray can compete in the Europa League after the turn of the year, because FC Bayern won 1-0 at Manchester United in the parallel game – and thus sent the Red Devils out of the European Cup as the last team.