Dortmund out
December 7, 2011
Borussia Dortmund bowed out of Europe on Tuesday evening, ending a disappointing Champions League campaign with a dramatic defeat to French side Olympique Marseille.
Things had been looking good for Dortmund early in the game, although their prospects for progressing in the competition were never fully under their control. Not only did the German club require a big win over Marseille, they also needed Arsenal to defeat group rivals Olympiakos in order to have a chance of going through to the knock-out stage.
Goals by Poland midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski and Germany defender Mats Hummels had given Dortmund a clear lead early in the first-half. Blaszczykowski barged into the penalty area to stab home his effort on 23 minutes, while Hummels scored from a penalty on 33 minutes.
The spot kick came at a cost to Dortmund though, with the side's captain Sebastian Kehl taken to hospital after being kicked in the face by Marseille defender Stephane Mbia.
Goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller took over the captaincy, only for Dortmund to concede a headed goal from Loic Remy just before half time. It was in the 85th that Andre Ayew equalized for Marseille, with substitute Mathieu Valbuena grabbing the winner two minutes later to compound Dortmund's misery and seal a spot in the next round for the French club.
Marseille finish second in Group F, behind London club Arsenal, while Greece's Olympiakos, in third place, can console themselves with a spot in the Europa League.
Underdogs ruffle Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen were already through to the Champions League knock-out stages heading into Tuesday's match in Belgium, but their draw on the night meant they finished the group in second place. They now face the prospect of tougher opposition.
Underdogs Racing Genk took the lead in the 30th minute with a right-footed volley from Jelle Vossen. However, Leverkusen were able to go level with 11 minutes remaining. Swiss striker Eren Derdiyok connected with a cross from Sidney Sam to place a low shot past Genk keeper Laszlo Koteles.
A win would have seen Leverkusen top Group F, but it was not to be and Chelsea leapfrogged them into first place with a 3-0 win over Valencia.
The Spanish side go on to the Europa League, while Belgians Genk exit European competition altogether.
Champions Barcelona, who were already guaranteed top place in Group H, demolished visiting Belarusians BATE Borisov 4-0, while Italian football giants AC Milan finished second in the group with a 2-2 away draw to Czech side Viktoria Plzen, who finished in third.
Cypriots Apoel Nicosia finish as leaders of Group G, despite a 2-0 home defeat to Shakhtar Donestsk, while Zenit St. Petersburg, who drew 0-0 away to FC Porto, progress as runners-up. Porto joins the Europa Leage and Donetsk are done in Europe for the season.
Author: Richard Connor (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)
Editor: Andrew Bowen