- Napoli are in the round of 16 of the Champions League in Group C thanks to a 2-0 home win against Sporting Braga.
- In the other game in the group, Union Berlin lost to Real Madrid 2-3 after a great fight.
- Benfica (Group D) and Lens (Group B) secure their ticket to the Europa League round of 16.
Group C: Napoli continue confidently
A draw in the home game against Sporting Braga would have been enough for Napoli to qualify for the round of 16. The Italian champions didn’t get involved in any games and ultimately secured their ticket to the knockout phase without any major problems. In the 9th minute, Napoli took the lead through an own goal from Serdar Saatci. Victor Osimhen increased the score after 33 minutes. After the break, the hosts failed to extend their lead. Braga came closest to scoring in the 79th minute. But Ricardo Horta only hit the post. The Portuguese can console themselves with third place and participation in the round of 16 of the Europa League.
- Union Berlin – Real Madrid 2:3
For Union Berlin, the European adventure is over. Coach Nenad Bjelica’s team had to admit defeat to Real Madrid 2-3 in the Olympic Stadium after a great fight. Union therefore remains fourth in the group and is eliminated. Kevin Volland shot the home team into the lead shortly before half-time. After the Madrilenians turned things around thanks to a brace from Joselu, Alex Kral equalized the score again in the 85th minute. Dani Ceballos then secured Real’s 6th win in their 6th game.
Group D: Cabral shoots Benfica into the Europa League
- Inter Milan – Real Sociedad 0-0
Yann Sommer kept his clean sheet in the Inter goal for the 13th time in all competitions. The Serie A leaders, who had already qualified for the round of 16, missed out on winning the group with a home win against direct rivals Real Sociedad. The guests from Spain were awarded a foul penalty a quarter of an hour before the end, but the Swiss referee Sandro Schärer reversed his decision after studying the video.
Substituted in the 91st minute, scored in the 92nd minute to make it 3-1 and shot his colors into the Europa League: Arthur Cabral became a hero for Benfica in Salzburg. Thanks to the ex-Basel player’s hit with his heel, the Portuguese secured third place in the group, just ahead of the Austrians. Ultimately, the deciding factor between the two teams with the same points in favor of Benfica was the greater number of goals scored. Angel Di Maria with a directly converted corner and Rafa Silva had put Benfica on course before the break, Luka Sucic shortened it for Salzburg in the 57th minute.
Group B: Lens in the Europa League
Lens secured third place in the group in a direct duel with Sevilla FC and thus a ticket to the round of 16 of the Europa League. The northern French, for whom a draw would have been enough to qualify for the EL, defeated the Spaniards with the Swiss Djibril Sow 2-1. After a penalty goal by Przemyslaw Frankowski (63′), Sergio Ramos also equalized for Sevilla with a penalty (79′). The veteran was only successful in his second attempt. Angelo Fulgini scored the winning goal for Lens in the 96th minute.
PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal were already confirmed as participants in the round of 16, and the Londoners were already certain of winning the group. Eddie Nketiah gave Arsenal the lead in the 42nd minute. Yorbe Vertessen equalized for the Dutch in the 50th minute to make the final score 1-1.