Manchester United and Sevilla found themselves unable to navigate the challenges posed by the Champions League, and now, even the consolation European League spot eludes them.
Both squads were ousted from European contention Tuesday night, finishing at the bottom of their respective groups.
The three-time Champions League victor, Manchester United, required a victory against Bayern Munich on their home turf and a favorable outcome in the other Group A match. However, they succumbed to a 1-0 loss against the six-time champion.
Unexpectedly, Copenhagen, an unsung Danish team, secured the second-place spot by defeating Galatasaray, a Turkish side, with a 1-0 win at home. Galatasaray clinched third place, earning a spot in the Europa League knockout round playoff, while United finished at the bottom, having conceded 15 goals across six games. This marks only the fourth time a Premier League team has ended up at the bottom of its Champions League group.
At Old Trafford, fans began departing 10 minutes before the final whistle, and some booed the United players as they concluded their game, intensifying the pressure on manager Erik Ten Hag.
Bayern’s winger, Kingsley Coman, smoothly netted the solitary goal in the 71st minute. The visiting fans taunted United supporters with renditions of “Football’s Coming Home” and “Auf Wiedersehen!” as Bayern comfortably pierced through United’s static defense.
Meanwhile, in Denmark, Copenhagen celebrated midfielder Lukas Lerager’s 58th-minute goal. Coach Jacob Neestrup sprinted onto the field, joining the jubilant players in their celebration at the match’s conclusion.
In other matchups, Italian champions Napoli secured advancement to the last 16 by defeating Portuguese side Braga 2-0 at home in Group C, previously dominated by Real Madrid.
Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, the African Player of the Year, sealed their victory, continuing his resurgence after aiding Napoli to their first Italian league title in 33 years last season.
Elsewhere, a notable moment emerged when veteran Croatia midfielder Luka Modric, the 2018 men’s Ballon d’Or recipient, missed a penalty, yet Madrid fought back to secure a 3-2 win against Union Berlin. With a perfect record, the 14-time champion Madrid finished atop the group, while Braga clinched third place for a spot in the Europa League playoffs.
The outcomes in these matches shaped the destiny of several teams, with the draw for the last 16 scheduled for December 18, where the group winners