Burley: Onana needs to take full responsiblity for Man United’s result (2:35)The “ESPN FC” crew react to Manchester United’s 3-3 draw at Galatasaray that puts them on the brink of Champions League elimination. (2:35)
The UEFA Champions League group stage is reaching its conclusion, with only four places in the knockout rounds still up for grabs on Matchday 6.
This is the final season of the multigroup format, before it becomes a 36-team competition with all clubs in one league table.
We take a look at who is through and how can still seal their places.
The top two teams in each group qualify for the round of 16, the third-placed clubs drop into the Europa League knockout playoff round, and those who finish bottom are eliminated.
Qualified for round of 16 (12/16): Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Real Sociedad, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, Lazio, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven
Eliminated (10/16): Union Berlin, FC Salzburg, Benfica, Celtic, Antwerp, Young Boys, Red Star Belgrade, Feyenoord, Sevilla, Lens
Tiebreakers:1) Points2) Head-to-head points in games involving the tied teams3) Goal difference in head-to-head matches involving the tied teams4) Goals scored in head-to-head matches involving the tied teams– If the above tiebreaker initially involves 3 or 4 teams, it is reapplied to resolve any remaining tiebreaker among fewer clubs5) Goal difference in all group matches6) Goals scored in all group matches7) Away goals scored in all group matches8) Wins in all group matches9) Away wins in all group matches10) Disciplinary points11) UEFA club coefficient.
This page will be updated throughout the final rounds of the group stage.
Manchester United must rely on other results to progress. Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images
Group permutations
Group A
Remaining fixturesDec. 12: Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich, FC Copenhagen vs. Galatasaray
Group A
GPWDLGDPTS1 – Bayern5410+5132 – Copenhagen5122-153 – Galatasaray5122-254 – Man United5113-241, 2: UCL round of 16; 3: UEL playoff round
Bayern Munich have qualified as group winners.
FC Copenhagen are guaranteed to qualify in second with a win, or with a draw if Manchester United draw or lose.
Galatasaray have to beat FC Copenhagen, which will secure second place.
Manchester United have to beat Bayern and hope FC Copenhagen vs. Galatasaray is a draw. However, United are guaranteed at least a place in the Europa League if they win.
Group B
Remaining fixturesDec. 12: PSV Eindhoven vs. Arsenal, Lens vs. Sevilla
Group B
GPWDLGDPTS1 – Arsenal5401+12122 – PSV5221-283 – Lens5122-654 – Sevilla5023-421, 2: UCL round of 16; 3: UEL playoff round
Arsenal went through and sealed first place in the group with a 6-0 win at home to Lens.
Arsenal’s victory also ensured PSV Eindhoven advanced, as the Eredivisie side hold the head to head over Lens.
Lens need a win or draw at home to Sevilla to move into the Europa League.
Sevilla must beat Lens to climb up to third and continue in Europe.
Reacting to Arsenal’s ‘demolishing’ 6-0 win vs. Lens
Craig Burley and the rest of the “ESPN FC” crew react to Arsenal’s 6-0 victory over Lens that sent them into the Champions League Round of 16.
Group C
Remaining fixturesDec. 12: Union Berlin vs. Real Madrid, Napoli vs. Braga
Group C
GPWDLGDPTS1 – Real Madrid5500+8152 – Napoli5212-173 – Braga5113-444 – Union Berlin5023-321, 2: UCL round of 16; 3: UEL playoff round
Real Madrid have qualified for the round of 16 and have topped the group.
Napoli will be through with a win, draw or one-goal defeat at home to Braga.
Braga must win by 2+ goals away to Napoli to finish in second place.
Union Berlin have been eliminated and must win at home to Real Madrid and hope Braga lose to Napoli to make the Europa League.
Can Jude Bellingham maintain his blistering to start at Real Madrid?
Craig Burley heaps yet more praise on Jude Bellingham after he scored in Real Madrid’s 4-2 win over Napoli in the Champions League.
Group D
Remaining fixturesDec. 12: Internazionale vs. Real Sociedad, FC Salzburg vs. Benfica
Group D
GPWDLGDPTS1 – Real Sociedad5320+5112 – Inter5320+3113 – Salzburg5113-244 – Benfica5014-611, 2: UCL round of 16; 3: UEL playoff round
Real Sociedad and Inter Milan have both qualified for the round of 16.
Top spot will be decided when the two teams meet in Italy on the final night. Real Sociedad will top the group with a win or draw, Inter require a victory.
FC Salzburg hold the Europa League place, and they will secure it if they win or draw against Benfica, or if they lose by one goal.
Benfica must beat FC Salzburg by 2+ goals to make the Europa League.
Group E
Remaining fixturesDec. 13: Atletico Madrid vs. Lazio, Celtic vs. Feyenoord
Group E
GPWDLGDPTS1 – Atletico5320+9112 – Lazio5311+2103 – Feyenoord5203064 – Celtic5014-1111, 2: UCL round of 16; 3: UEL playoff round
Atletico Madrid and Lazio have qualified and face each other in Spain on Matchday 6. Atletico will top the group with a win or draw, while Lazio need a victory.
Feyenoord will drop into the Europa League knockout playoff round
Celtic have been eliminated from Europe.
Group F
Remaining fixturesDec. 13: Newcastle United vs. AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Group F
GPWDLGDPTS1 – Dortmund5311+3102 – PSG5212+173 – Newcastle5122054 – Milan5122-451, 2: UCL round of 16; 3: UEL playoff round
Borussia Dortmund have qualified and will top the group with a win or draw at home to PSG.
Paris Saint-Germain must win in Germany to be sure of going through — which will also see them top the group.
PSG can only go through with a draw if AC Milan win or draw.
PSG can only go through with a loss if Newcastle-AC Milan is a draw.
Why VAR was wrong to award PSG a penalty for handball vs. Newcastle
Dale Johnson reacts after VAR Tomasz Kwiatkowski was removed from duty by UEFA for another Champions League game.
Newcastle United must win and hope PSG draw or lose. If the two teams are level, Newcastle will finish second on head to head.
AC Milan must win and hope PSG lose. If the two teams are level, PSG will finish second on head to head.
If Newcastle and Milan draw, Newcastle will drop into the Europa League on goal difference.
How much would Champions League exit hurt Milan?
Nicky Bandini explains how much of a disappointment exiting the Champions League at the group stage would be for AC Milan.
Group G
Remaining fixturesDec. 13: RB Leipzig vs. Young Boys, Red Star Belgrade vs. Manchester City
Group G
GPWDLGDPTS1 – Man City5500+10152 – Leipzig5302+293 – Young Boys5113-544 – Red Star5014-711, 2: UCL round of 16; 3: UEL playoff round
Manchester City have won the group with a 100% record.
RB Leipzig go through in second place.
Young Boys will drop into the Europa League in the New Year.
Red Star Belgrade are out of Europe.
Why Man City’s defending is a real concern
Craig Burley is not convinced by Manchester City’s defending after they conceded seven goals in the last three games.
Group H
Remaining fixturesDec. 13: Antwerp vs. Barcelona, FC Porto vs. Shakhtar Donetsk
Group H
GPWDLGDPTS1 – Barcelona5401+7122 – FC Porto5302+593 – Shakhtar5302094 – Antwerp5005-1201, 2: UCL round of 16; 3: UEL playoff round
Barcelona sit on top of the group and are through to the round of 16. They will win the group unless they lose in Antwerp, and Shakhtar beat FC Porto while overtaking Barca on goal difference. As Barca hold a goal difference advantage of seven this is unlikely.
FC Porto and Shakhtar meet in Portugal level on points.
FC Porto won the first meeting of the sides so will be through with a win or draw, though they cannot win the group. Shakhtar Donetsk must win to progress.
Antwerp have been eliminated.
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