Arsenal 2-0 Montpellier
A classy performance from Arsenal ensured them a victory and progression to the knockout stages of the competition for the 13th consecutive season. Before this win, surprisingly Arsenal had never beat a French team at home in the competition despite competing in the Champions League for 15 consecutive seasons. In the first half, Arsenal struggled to make an impact but the improved after the break and Jack Wilshire scored his first goal since returning from injury with a chipped finish from close range. Arsenal sealed the victory thanks to Lukas Podolski with an unstoppable strike as Montpellier faded. This win leaves Arsenal in second place, just a point behind the leaders and they will fight for top spot in their final game against Olympiakos. Meanwhile, Montpellier sits at the bottom of the table with just one point and has only pride left to play for.
Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid
In their second season in the Champions League, Manchester City have failed both times to make it past the group stages and this result cemented that outcome. The English champion needed a victory to keep their hopes alive, but they were soon dashed as Karim Benzema snatched an early goal. Real Madrid looked dangerous and had several chances to double their lead against the 3 man defence of City, but it remained 0-1 at the break. City were much the better team in the second half and should have equalised if it wasn’t for a couple of superb saves from the Real keeper, Casillas. Their pressure eventually prevailed when Aguero was taken down in the box which resulted in Arbeloa being given his marching orders and the Argentinian Aguero putting the ball in the net. It wasn’t the result Manchester City needed and so they are rooted to the bottom of the table and face the prospect of not even competing in the Europa League if they can’t beat Dortmund away or Ajax win. For Real Madrid, they sit comfortably in second and go into the final game with the reassurance they have already qualified.
Ajax 1-4 Borussia Dortmund
A big victory away from home at the Amsterdam Arena ensured that Dortmund march on into the knockout stages of the competition. Dortmund only needed eight minutes to open the scoring via Marco Reus and the game was put to bed in the first half with two further goals from Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker doubled his goal tally for the game after the break to make it 0-4 but in the closing stages the hosts managed to slot home a consolation goal through substitute Danny Hoesen. A comfortable victory for the visitors sees them top the group while Ajax need to win at Real Madrid to confirm their place in the Europa League.
