Gr.H: the "MNM" qualifies Paris, Juve fails

For the eleventh consecutive year, PSG will see the knockout phase of the European queen event, after a very successful performance by its attacking trio "MNM" (Messi-Neymar-Mbappé) against Haifa.

This success guarantees PSG (11 pts) one of the first two places in Group H, of which it occupies the lead with Benfica (11 pts).

And the Parisians will travel to Turin next week to compete for first place, synonymous with a potentially more affordable draw on November 7 in Nyon, Switzerland.

At the Parc des Princes, the authorities feared overflows but apart from a brief interruption of the game for the use of smoke bombs in the Maccabi grandstand, the fireworks were rather on the ground, where Paris feasted.

When the Parisians play such a collective score, finding themselves with their eyes closed, it is difficult for the opponent: doubles from Messi (19th, 44th) and Mbappé (32nd, 64th), goal from Neymar (35th), still decisive on the goal against his camp of Sean Goldberg (67th), and final goal signed Carlos Soler (84th)...

Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappé against Benfica Lisbon on Tuesday in Paris in a Champions League match.

Anne-Christine POUJOULAT AFP

"When we all play together, simple, it's very beautiful to see. We had a superb match", savored the Parisian captain Marquinhos at the microphone of Canal+ Foot.

Only downside, Abdoulaye Seck took advantage of two defensive releases (38th, 50th) and Neymar, warned, will be suspended in Turin.

Which Juve will PSG find next Wednesday?

Hard to say, because the "Old Lady" fell in Lisbon against Benfica, despite goals from Moises Kean (21st), Arkadiusz Milik (77th) and Weston McKennie (79th) who kept hope alive at the end of the match.

After three successive eliminations in the round of 16, Juventus did not even make it past the group stage this time, a symbol of their slow but steady European decline...

Gr.G: Dortmund qualified, City first

Qualification in the pocket for Dortmund: Borussia settled for a 0-0 draw against Manchester City, already qualified, to secure a place in the eighth and nullify the efforts of Sevilla, winner in vain of Copenhagen 3- 0.

For the reunion with Erling Haaland, his former center forward who left to shine in England with City, Dortmund resisted well and his goalkeeper Gregor Kobel stopped a penalty obtained and shot by Riyad Mahrez (58th).

Nothing dramatic for the Citizens, who secure first place in the pool with this draw.

Gr.F: Leipzig surprises the great Real

Defending champion and already qualified for the eighth, Real Madrid lost their first match of the season (3-2), surprised by the RB Leipzig of Christopher Nkunku, scorer.

French international Christopher Nkunku, scorer against Real Madrid on Tuesday in Leipzig in a Champions League match.

RONNY HARTMANN AFP

With a revamped eleven, without the Ballons d'Or Karim Benzema and Luka Modric, spared, the European champions found themselves quickly led, in particular thanks to a heavy strike from the Frenchman Nkunku (18th).

And despite the reductions in the score of Vinicius (44th) and Rodrygo (90th + 4), Leipzig secured their victory.

Enough to allow the German club to consolidate its second place (9 pts) ahead of Shakhtar Donetsk (6 pts), its next opponent, held back by Celtic in Glasgow (1-1).

Gr.E: Chelsea in the round of 16, Milan take advantage

Sacred recovery for Chelsea: badly started after an inaugural defeat but revived by its new coach Graham Potter, the London club obtained its qualification for the eighth on the penultimate day by beating Salzburg 2-1.

French international Olivier Giroud (right) scored against Zagreb, Croatia on Tuesday in a Champions League match.

Damir SENCAR AFP

With 10 points, the 2021 European champion club is guaranteed to be in the next round as first in the group after AC Milan's victory in Zagreb (4-0).

The Milanese, winners in particular thanks to Olivier Giroud from the penalty spot (59th), took the opportunity to move into 2nd qualifying place (7 pts), ahead of Salzburg (6 pts), their opponent for the final day.

© 2022 AFP