Despite a scare, 2022-23 champions Manchester City defeated Club Brugge 3-1 at Etihad Stadium to progress to the Champions League round of 16 playoffs on a chaotic final morning of the group stage (AEDT) where all 36 teams were in action at once.
All four English clubs progressed, with Arsenal, Aston Villa and Liverpool seeded for the round of 16.
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Pep Guardiola’s side were behind at home and in trouble of an early exit but stabilised for a somewhat comfortable victory.
Nigerian forward Raphael Onyedika shocked the home supporters when he opened the scoring in the 45th minute, but it didn’t take long for City to hit back with Mateo Kovacic equalising eight minutes after half-time.
An own goal from Joel Ordonez further calmed nerves inside the Etihad before Savinho added a third goal 13 minutes from time as the English champions snuck into 22nd place, securing a round of 16 playoff berth.
EPL leaders Liverpool sealed the No.1 seed despite losing 3-2 away to PSV as Barcelona failed to take advantage, finishing second following a 2-2 draw with Atalanta.
Arsenal locked in the third seed with a 2-1 win at Girona and Aston Villa rose to eighth after beating Celtic 4-2 at Villa Park.
Mikel Arteta’s men were behind after 28 minutes but Jorginho’s penalty and an Ethan Nwaneri goal were enough to seal the three points.
In their return to Europe’s top level competition, Villa took the final seed but didn’t have it all their own way on Thursday (AEDT) with Adam Idah’s quick fire brace cancelling out Morgan Rogers’ own double.
On the day the Birmingham club rejected Arsenal’s overture for forward Ollie Watkins, the Villa star scored to put his side back in front in the 60th minute then Rogers completed a special hat-trick in injury time.
Last season’s finalists Borussia Dortmund missed out on a seed despite defeating Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1, as did rivals Bayern Munich and champions Real Madrid.
The Roarhttps://https://ift.tt/ChtqDAc Wrap: City sneak into playoff round, Liverpool finish top despite loss, Gunners seal third
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