Champions League: Manchester City claim top spot, Barcelona and Atletico reach last-16, Mbappe rescues PSG

Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and Atletico Madrid qualified for the Champions League’s last 16 stages with convincing wins in their group clashes while Kylian Mbappe rescued PSG with a last-gasp equaliser against Newcastle United.

Phil Foden inspired a spirited fightback to help the defending champions Manchester City defeat RB Lipzieg 3-2 to reach to the knockout stage. Since losing 2-1 to Lyon in September 2018, City has gone unbeaten in 29 home games in the competition. It has won its Champions Group for the past seven seasons in a row.

Erling Haaland became the fastest player in Champions League history to achieve 40 goals, doing it in 35 games. The Norwegian had earlier set a Premier League record with 50 goals in 48 games.

GROUP E

Ciro Immobile scored two goals in the last 10 minutes, securing a 2-0 victory for Lazio over Celtic. Following this, Atletico claimed a 3-1 win against Feyenoord, benefitting from two own-goals, securing their place in the next round and simultaneously advancing Lazio.

With 11 points, Atletico holds the lead, trailed by Lazio (10), Feyenoord (6), and Celtic (1). The upcoming Dec. 13 matches will see Lazio facing Atletico, a crucial game that will determine the group’s winner.

GROUP F

Isak’s early rebound goal for Newcastle followed PSG’s missed opportunities, hinting at another improbable win after their recent 4-1 victory over the same opponent. Yet, a late penalty awarded after a contentious handball incident allowed Mbappé to secure a draw for PSG in Paris.

Reus put Dortmund ahead from the spot, countering Giroud’s saved penalty for Milan at the San Sirao. Despite an equaliser from Milan’s Chukwueze, Bynoe-Gittens and Adeyemi scored match-winning goals to secure Dortmund’s spot in the last 16.

Dortmund leads with 10 points, followed by PSG (7), Newcastle (5), and Milan (5). With all four teams in contention, the upcoming matches will decide the group winner, with Dortmund hosting PSG and Newcastle hosting Milan.

GROUP G

Phil Foden orchestrated Manchester City’s comeback, assisting Erling Haaland’s goal and equalizer before contributing to Julian Alvarez’s late winner, maintaining Pep Guardiola’s unbeaten home streak in the Champions League since 2018.

“We had to be relaxed as possible and we reacted really well,” Guardiola said. “We are first in the group and I am very satisfied for the reaction at the end. The team runs and fights and has spirit.”

Openda’s double gave Leipzig an early lead, but City, led by Foden, staged a champion-like response in the second half. Young Boys clinched third place in the group with a 2-0 victory against Red Star Belgrade. City leads with 15 points, trailed by Leipzig (9), Young Boys (4), and Red Star (1).

GROUP H

Barcelona registered a come-from-behind win after Porto initially took the lead with Pepe’s 30th-minute goal. Cancelo equalized two minutes later, and Félix secured their win in the 57th minute.

Meanwhile, Shakhtar Donetsk kept their knockout stage hopes alive with Matviyenko’s diving header, earning a vital 1-0 victory against Antwerp.

Barcelona leads the group with 12 points but hasn’t clinched the win yet, followed by Porto (9), Shakhtar (9), and Antwerp (0). Third-placed teams will head to the Europa League knockout playoffs.