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Chelsea knocked out of Champions League

Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)
Roar Guru
6th December, 2012
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Despite a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Nordsjaelland on Thursday morning Australian time, last season’s Champions League winners have failed to make the round of 16.

Due to a Juventus’ victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on the final match-day of the group round, Chelsea will have to settle with the Europa League.

With one round left, Chelsea found themselves in third position, behind Juventus on goal difference. The Londoners needed not only a victory over Nordsjaelland, but Shakhtar to defeat Juventus as well.

The match in the Ukraine started off very open, with both teams having good possession. Neither team, however, managed to test the opposing keepers.

Chelsea and Nordsaelland’s keepers were both tested in London. A penalty was awarded to the Danes after a 31st minute Cahill hand-ball. Stokholm only managed to fire the ball into the diving hands of Petr Cech.

Only minutes later a second penalty was awarded at the other end of the pitch. This time Nordsaelland’s defender Beckman was accused of a hand-ball. Hazard also failed to score from the spot, the Danish keeper guessing correctly as he dived to save the shot.

Failed spot-kicks aside, Chelsea had good possession and created a lot of chances. Their first goal came in the 38th minute when David Luiz showed Hazard and Stokholm how a penalty should be taken. The Brazilian powered his shot into the top right corner, giving Hansen no chance in goals.

The Blues scored their second goal during extra-time. Moses sent a perfect ball through the Danish defence to Torres. The Spaniard’s first shot was saved by Hansen but the rebound returned to his feet and he made sure Chelsea would go into the break 2-0 up.

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With the score in the Ukraine still 0-0 at half-time, both Shakhtar and Juventus looked set to progress to the next round. Chelsea could only keeping scoring and hope for the best in the other match.

Nordsjaelland scored just after the start of the break. Winger-on-loan John managed to get behind the Chelsea back-line and lifted the ball over Cech’s head into the back of the goal.

Chelsea rebounded with a 51 minute Cahill goal. The defender headed the ball into the back of the net from a Mata free-kick.

Juventus was beginning to take control of the match in the Ukraine. In the 53rd minute Pirlo received the ball from teammate Pogba, beat one defender and smacked the ball towards the corner. Luckily for Chelsea, the ball rebounded off of the post.

Chelsea’s luck gave way minutes later when Juve’s Lichsteiner crossed the ball into the box from the right wing. Giovinco was ready to knock the ball into the goal, but was beaten to it by Shakhtar’s defender Kucher. The defenders own-goal gave the Italians a 0-1 lead, with this score line both Juventus and Shakhtar would both proceed to the next round.

Torres added another goal in London in the 56th minute. Hazard dribbled past defenders into the box and cut the ball back to Torres who made it 4-1 to Chelsea.

Hazard set up another goal for Torres’ compatriot Juan Mata. Hansen saved the first shot, but Mata taped in the rebound to make it 5-1.

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Over in the Ukraine, the home side began pressuring their guests, but Brazilian substitute Ilsinho could only manage to hit the post.

Chelsea’s Brazilian substitute, Oscar, managed one better in London. Mata played the ball through to the 21-year-old, who calmly tapped the ball into the right corner.

Shakhtar continued pressuring until the final whistle, but unfortunately for Chelsea the Juve defence held strong. The final result in the Ukraine remained 0-1 to Juventus.

The Italians end the group stage in first position with Shakhtar in second. Chelsea, in third, has been knocked out of the Champions League, but will return after Christmas in the Europa League.

In Thursday morning’s other matches, Munich defeated BATE Borisov 4-1 to top Group F. The Bavarians will be joined by Valencia in the next round, the Spaniards winning 1-0 over Lille. BATE made third place and will continue in the Europa League.

Celtic has made history in Group G with a 2-1 victory over Spartak Moscow seeing them through to the round of 16. Benfica failed score against a Barcelona team filled with mostly reserve players and have made Europa League.

Messi was brought on as a substitute but failed to score a goal and equal Gerd Muller’s goal record in a calendar year. Worryingly for the Catalonians, Messi was carried off in the 85th minute with a knee injury.

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Galatassaray defeated Braga 2-1 and will make the knockout-round where they will be joined by Machester United. Sir Alex Fergusson’s men lost 0-1 to Cluj who have made Europa League.

The Champions League and Europa League knockout draws will be announced on Thursday 20 December. Stay tuned for all preview and predictions.

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