Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt left it late tonight to confirm their places in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 after a dramatic conclusion to Group D.
Spurs secured a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Marseille that ended the French side’s European ambitions.
Marseille were briefly on course for the knockout rounds when Chancel Mbemba struck with a magnificent header before the break, but Clément Lenglet’s 54th-minute header pulled Spurs level.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg then settled the encounter when he was sent clean through by Harry Kane in the final seconds as Tottenham clinched top spot in Group D.
In the group’s other clash, Randal Kolo Muani’s goal ensured Eintracht Frankfurt completed a comeback 2-1 victory at Sporting which booked the German side’s place in the knockout stage.
The home side were briefly on top of the group after Arthur Gomes gave them a first-half lead, but Daichi Kamada’s penalty made it 1-1 and Kolo Muani’s fine strike completed the turnaround.
Sporting then got the consolation of third place and a spot in the Europa League thanks to Spurs’ late winner in Marseille.
In Group A, Napoli were handed their first defeat of the season in all competitions when they were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah and substitute Darwin Núñez struck late to spoil Napoli’s 100 percent Group A record, although Liverpool needed a four-goal victory to overtake the Serie A leaders.
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen was in Napoli’s starting line-up and failed to score for the first time in five matches.
In the other Group A fixture, Calvin Bassey started for Ajax as they defeated his former club Rangers 3-1 in Glasgow to condemn the Scots to finishing the group phase without a point.
In other games tonight, Porto defeated Atletico Madrid to send the Spanish club completely out of European competition as they finished bottom of Group B, while Club Brugge and Bayer Leverkusen played a 0-0 draw.
Super Eagles defender Zaidu Sanusi lasted for 53 minutes for Porto and appeared to be injured.
RESULTS
Porto 2-1 Atlético
Leverkusen 0-0 Club Brugge
Liverpool 2-0 Napoli
Rangers 1-3 Ajax
Bayern 2-0 Inter
Plzeň 2-4 Barcelona
Sporting CP 1-2 Frankfurt
Marseille 1-2 Tottenham
