Juve, Bayern and Ajax advance; United stutter (Reuters) Updated: 2005-11-23 08:54
Despite the defeat, Bruges will finish third in the group and go into the
UEFA Cup while Rapid, who have lost all five matches to date, are eliminated
from Europe.
Arsenal's Philippe
Senderos (R) charges down Thun's Mauro Lustrinelli during their UEFA
Champions League Group B soccer match at the Stade de Suisse Wankdorf
stadium in Berne, November 22, 2005.
[Reuters] | Arsenal had already qualified from
Group B before Tuesday's win over Thun but clinched top spot after beating the
Swiss outsiders 1-0 with a late Robert Pires penalty which meant they had scored
in each of their last 21 Champions League matches.
Thun played most of the match with 10 men after defender Armand Deumi was
sent off for bringing down Robin van Persie after 35 minutes.
Ajax, playing their 150th match in Europe's premier club competition,
celebrated by making sure they would advance with Arsenal after a 2-1 home win
over Sparta Prague, who have now played 13 Champions League matches since their
last win.
All three goals came in the last 22 minutes of the match with substitute
Nigel de Jong emerging as Ajax's hero on the night with both their goals.
Sparta skipper Martin Petras pulled one back for his side in the final minute
but Ajax held on for the points.
RONALDINHO OUTSTANDING
Barcelona, who had already qualified, made sure they would advance as winners
of Group C with a 3-1 win over Werder Bremen, highlighted by another outstanding
display from Ronaldinho.
The Brazilian, who master-minded Barca's 3-0 win over Real Madrid at the
weekend, made a goal apiece for Gabri and Henrik Larsson -- and also scored one
himself in the victory.
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