Top of the table

Bayern Munich joined Benfica Lisbon and Inter Milan to advance to the knockout stage of the Champions League on Tuesday, after their 3-1 victory against Villarreal

With two goals from France winger Franck Ribery and one from Champions League top scorer Mario Gomez, his sixth of the campaign, the Germans emerged five points clear at the top of Group A.

Bayern midfielder Toni Kroos said it was his side's 0-1 loss at home to German champions Borussia Dortmund on Saturday that galvanized the team and made them determined to beat Villarreal and secure their spot in the knockout phase.

"We wanted to respond immediately after the defeat against Dortmund," said Kroos, who set up both of Ribery's goals.

"We took advantage of a Villarreal error for our first goal, but there were phases when we let them come at us, that shouldn't happen to us."

Title hopefuls

Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes admitted annoyance at Bayern's concession to Villarreal midfielder Jonathan de Guzman, who scored the Spanish side's goal in the second half.

"It is very important to us that we have now clearly won the group," said Heynckes.

It was Bayern's fourth win in this season's European campaign, with last month's 1-1 draw at Napoli the sole blot on an otherwise perfect record.

Munich's Allianz Arena will host the Champions League final next May, and the German giants have made no secret of their desire to win the title for the first time since 2001.

In other action on Tuesday, Benfica also made it to the round of 16 following a 2-2 draw on the road against Manchester United. Spain's Real Madrid beat Dinamo Zagreb 6-2 at home and also advanced to the knockout stage.

Author: David Levitz (AFP, dpa)

Editor: Martin Kuebler