The Real Madrid players passed the most important exam in this part of the season, because thanks to the double scorer Karim Benzema, they defeated Borussia Monchengladbach 2: 0, winning a place in the knockout phase of the Champions League from the leading position in the group.
Benzema was in an exceptional mood and with two goals in the first half he made an insurmountable difference in favor of Real.
He scored both goals thanks to his strongest weapon – his head. First on Lucas Vazquez’s cross in the ninth minute, and then in a similar way after Rodrigo’s ball was thrown in the 32nd minute.
This defeat did not disturb the German team on the way to the continuation of the competition in the Champions League, since they will continue from another place.
In the second match of Group B, Shakhtar managed to snatch a point away from Inter in Milan by playing a goalless match, enough to qualify for the 1/16 finals of the Europa League.
Inter finished the competition with a modest six points and a well-deserved last place in the group.
It started well for Antonio Conte’s team when Lautaro Martinez hit the crossbar in the seventh minute.
Shortly afterwards, Stefan De Fry also tried, and the guests retaliated through Dodo in the 40th minute, whose shot was defended by Handanović.
Two minutes later, Martinez tried to head again, and at the beginning of the second half, he tried out for Romelu Lukaku. Both times the guest goalkeeper Trubin was up to the task.
The finish of the match took place in two great opportunities by Alexis Sanchez, and it was especially likely in the 89th minute when one of his teammates prevented a goal on the way to the net.
The last chance in the second minute of overtime was missed by Christian Eriksen, whose great shot Trubin took a great shot.
Real and Borussia are thus continuing the competition from Group A, Shakhtar will be in the Europa League, while Inter is finishing the competition in Europe for this season.
The Atletico Madrid players won away to Salzburg against the team of the same name 2: 0 in the decisive match for placement in the knockout phase of the Champions League.
The leading goal of the match was scored by defender Mario Hermozo in the 39th minute, assisted by Janik Karasko.
In an exceptionally hard match, Diego Simeone’s team decided to leave the initiative to the home team, which, in addition to possession, also dominated in the number of shots.
Already in the third minute, Mergim Berisha hit the post, suggesting that Salzburg would start strong, and shortly afterwards, Dominik Soboslai properly tortured Jan Oblak, who, thanks to a great reflex, defended the shot.
The guests had the first serious opportunity in the 34th minute when Cican Stanković managed to defend the attempt of Marcos Llorente.
Only five minutes later, the lead followed. Karasko is about to send the ball in. Foul shot of Hermozo that was sent near the left post of Hermozo. ‘
Already at the start of the second half, Soboslai scored again, but the ball ended up next to the goal.
All dilemmas regarding the winner were solved by Karasko in the 86th minute.
In the second match of Group A, Lokomotiva offered great resistance to the combined team of Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, they even had a few solid chances, but in the end, the favorite celebrated with 2: 0.
The leading goal was scored by Niklas Zile in the 63rd minute, when he used Douglas Costa’s cross from the corner and headed the ball into the net.
It was Hansi Flick’s team that materialized a better game in that period, which took place before the goal in the serious circumstances of Zille and Maxim Chupo-Moting, whose shot in the 54th minute was tamed by Guillermo in his career defense.
Shortly afterwards, Serge Gnabri missed two serious chances in one minute, but Chupo-Moting set the final 2-0 10 minutes before the end of the match.
Bayern and Atletico have thus justified the role of favorites and continue on, Salcurg will go to the Europa League, while Lokomotiva finished the European mission with three points.
