Olympique Lyon and Fenerbahce filled the last two Champions League knockout places yesterday, after emphatic wins over Rangers and CSKA Moscow.
Rangers started the night with every hope of emulating Glasgow rivals Celtic and reaching the last 16 after beating French champions Olympique Lyon 3-0 away early in
the group stage.
But Lyon responded in kind at Ibrox, Sidney Govou scoring in the 16th minute, followed by Karim Benzema in the 85th and 88th. Lyon go through second from Group E behind already-qualified Barcelona, who beat VfB Stuttgart 3-1.
Fenerbahce, roared on by a deafening crowd, won 3-1 and always looked the stronger side against CSKA, who were already confirmed bottom of Group G.
It was the Russians who went ahead, however, after Edu put the ball in his own net in an embarrassing mix-up with goalkeeper Volkan Demirel after 30 minutes. It took only two minutes for the home side to reply, Brazilian playmaker Alex firing a 25-metre scorcher left-footed past a stranded Igor Akinfeyev.
Alex set up Fenerbahce's second on the stroke of halftime passing to Ugur Boral, who angled a low shot neatly from the right. He headed a third in the last minute.
Fenerbahce join Inter Milan from the group in the draw for the first knockout round on December 21. Their win dashed the hopes of PSV Eindhoven, who lost 1-0 to Inter at home after Edison Mendez was sent off in the 28th minute. Julio Cruz scored for the Italians in the 64th.
Sevilla and Arsenal had already qualified from Group H. Sevilla's 2-0 away win over Slavia Prague ensured they topped the group. Arsenal beat Steaua Bucharest 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
Group F was decided before yesterday's games. Manchester United, who topped the group, drew 1-1 with Roma, who came second.
Portugal's Sporting beat Dynamo Kiev 3-0.
- REUTERS
