UCL: United In Disappointing Draw As Real And PSG Win

Spanish giants, Real Madrid, who had already sealed a place in the last 16 of the Champions League, clinched top spot in Group A with a remarkable victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The 10-time European champions survived a nervous finish when they conceded three late goals to edge the Ukranian’s 4-3 and wrap up top spot.

Ronaldo scored in the 18th and 70th minutes, while Luka Modric (50) and Dani Carvajal (52) also struck to put Rafael Benitez men in complete command on a freezing night in Western Ukraine.

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Brazilian midfielder Alex Teixeira converted a penalty after 77 minutes, before Dentinho chested the ball into the net from a corner, and Teixeira’s clever finish in the 88th minute gave Shakhtar hope.

Speaking after the game, Real Madrid manager, Rafael Benitez said: “Today everything went our way for most of the game.

“But Shakhtar are a strong and aggressive team. There’s no surprise that they have scored at home.

“We’ve conceded 10 goals in our last three matches but today we acted as a single unit, as a team and that’s a very encouraging sign.

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“We’ve scored four goals away from home. I believe this shows that our club is moving in the right direction.”

In the nights other Group A encounter, French champions Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Malmo 5-0 to join Real in the knockout round.

Shakhtar will now face Malmo on matchday six in a straight fight for third place and a Europa League spot.

Elsewhere, English Premier League side, Manchester United who needed a win to book their place in the last 16 of the competition, were held to a goalless draw at home to PSV, and now find themselves in a very precarious position.

Louis Van Gaal’s side will only qualify for the last 16 if they beat group leaders Wolfsburg in their final game at the Volkswagen Arena on December 8.

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In other results of the night, Italian Champions Juventus defeated Manchester City 1-0, CSKA were beaten 2-0 at home by VfL Wolfsburg, FC Astana played out a 2-2 draw with Portuguese Champions Benfica, Atl Madrid beat Galatasaray 2-0 and German side, B M’gladbach thrashed Sevilla 4-2.

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