UCL Round Up: Manchester United face tricky final game; Atletico, PSG and Juventus advance

CSKA Moscow 0 Wolfsburg 2: Schurrle eliminates Slutsky´s side

Wolfsburg remain on course to reach the Champions League round of 16 after substitute Andre Schurrle’s double earned a 2-0 win away to CSKA Moscow on Tuesday.

Astana 2 Benfica 2: Jimenez double seals comeback

Benfica fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Astana and close in on a place in the Champions League knockout stages.

Headers from Patrick Twumasi and Marin Anicic had the hosts comfortably ahead in Kazakhstan, before Raul Jimenez pulled a goal back for Benfica just before half-time.

Jimenez then struck again with a low finish 18 minutes from time to eliminate Astana, who drew all three of their home matches in Group C.

Benfica are now three points above Atletico Madrid and six clear of third-placed Galatasaray, and any result but a victory for the Turkish side when those two sides play later on Wednesday would send Rui Vitoria’s team through to the last 16.

Antoine Griezmann’s double has seen Atletico Madrid knock out a lifeless Galatasaray side with a 2-0 victory and seal the Spanish side’s place in Champions League last 16.

Juventus 1 Manchester City 0: Mandzukic seals qualification as Juve leapfrog City

Juventus have moved to the top of Group D and qualified for the knockout phase of the Champions League with a game to spare following a 1-0 win over Manchester City in Turin this evening.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side began brightly and Fernandinho went close with a fierce low drive in the fifth minute after Juventus could only clear a corner straight to the Brazilian midfielder.

Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala then sent efforts wide of the target, but the Juventus strikers were offside on both occasions. Man City’s best chance of the first half fell to Fernandinho, who reacted quickly after Giorgio Chiellini’s challenge on Yaya Toure broke inside the area in the 16th minute, but the the midfielder blazed the ball high over the bar from 15 yards.

Two minutes later, the hosts took the lead as Mandzukic shrugged off a weak challenge from Nicolas Otamendi to volley home Alex Santos’s left-wing cross.

Shakhtar Donetsk 3 Real Madrid 4: Ronaldo wins the group despite late comeback

Real Madrid clinched top spot in Champions League Group A thanks to an enthralling, Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired 4-3 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Madrid were in cruise control and Ronaldo finally got his second of the game on 70 minutes. Bale burst clear down the left flank and cut the ball back for the former Manchester United man, who saw his first shot blocked by Pyatov only to be given time and space to tap in the rebound.

Remarkably, Shakhtar suddenly hit their stride. Substitute Taison won his side a 77th-minute penalty after his strong run was halted by a trip from behind by Casemiro, allowing Teixeira to drill into the bottom-right corner past Kiko Casilla.

Dentinho then brought Shakhtar back to within two goals when he bundled home unmarked at the far post after Taras Stepanenko flicked on a corner.

Teixeira gave Shakhtar hope of the most unlikely comeback when he turned and slotted the ball cleverly past Casilla into the bottom corner, but the Ukrainian side will now face Malmo on matchday six in a straight fight for third place and a Europa League spot, while Madrid can look ahead safely to the knockouts.

Manchester United 0 PSV 0: Stalemate leaves Van Gaal´s men facing tricky final game

Manchester United’s hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout stages were severely dented by a goalless draw with PSV at Old Trafford.

United headed into their penultimate Group B fixture knowing three points would secure a last-16 spot, yet now likely need a win at leaders Wolfsburg on December 8 to progress following Wednesday’s disappointing stalemate.

Atletico Madrid 2 Galatasaray 0: Griezmann double sends Simeone´s men through

Antoine Griezmann scored in each half to ensure Atletico Madrid a spot in the Champions League knockout rounds with a straightforward 2-0 home win against Galatasaray.

A point would have been enough for Diego Simeone’s side after Group C rivals Astana and Benfica drew 2-2 earlier in the day, but they made absolutely sure with a fine performance.

Malmo 0 Paris Saint-Germain 5: Ibrahimovic on target as Blanc´s side cruise through

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored on his emotional return to Malmo as Paris Saint-Germain clinched their place in the Champions League last 16 with a convincing 5-0 win at the Swedbank Stadion.

PSG star and Swedish national hero Ibrahimovic, who began his glittering career at Malmo, netted the third goal of a routine victory for the French champions, who are now guaranteed to finish second behind Real Madrid in Group A.

A double from the impressive Angel Di Maria, as well as Adrien Rabiot’s early opener and a stunning late free-kick from Lucas Moura, gave the scoreline a one-sided, but fair look, as PSG outclassed the pool’s bottom-placed side.