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In the UEFA Champions League tournament, the group stage matches ended with eight Tuesday matches in four groups. There were no major surprises in the tournament standings, as the teams that had an advantage before the last matchday maintained their positions and secured their tickets to the round of 16.
The winner of Group A was the "Arsenal" club, who left no hope at home for the already eliminated "Rosenborg" and scored five goals against them. "PSV" failed to maintain their first position, losing away to "Panathinaikos" who finished third in the group and earned a spot in the UEFA Cup.
The surprise in Group F came from "Shakhtar," who defeated the not strongest "Barcelona" team at home and earned the opportunity to play in the UEFA Cup tournament. "Celtic" remained last in the group, unable to defeat the group winner "Milan" club.
A fierce battle took place for the second spot in Group G, where in nerve-wracking matches, "Werder" defeated "Valencia" at home. "Inter" secured an easy victory, guaranteeing the top spot in the group, by defeating "Anderlecht," who didn't earn a single point in 6 matches.
The matches in Group H unfolded in a thrilling manner, as three clubs fought for the second spot in the round of 16. Despite the "CSKA" victory against "PSG," thanks to Sergej Semak's hat-trick in Paris, their path to the next stage was blocked by a winning goal from "Porto" player Benny McCarthy against "Chelsea." Furthermore, "CSKA" defender Deividas Šemberas received a red card early in the second half and will continue playing in the UEFA Cup.
So, three more clubs - "Arsenal," "Werder," and "Porto" joined the nine clubs that had already secured a spot in the knockout stage. The remaining four participants of the round of 16 will be determined in the matches of Groups A-D tomorrow.
Tournament Standings
Results of Tuesday's matches:
Group E
4 - 1
30' [1 - 0] Dimitrios Papadopoulos
37' [1 - 1] DaMarcus Beasley
45' [2 - 1] Markus Munch (pen.)
57' [3 - 1] Markus Munch
81' [4 - 1] Lucian Sanmartean
5 - 1
3' [1 - 0] Jose Antonio Reyes
24' [2 - 0] Thierry Henry
29' [3 - 0] Francesc Fabregas
39' [3 - 1] Erik Hoftun
41' [4 - 1] Robert Pires (pen.)
84' [5 - 1] Robin van Persie
Group F
2 - 0
14' [1 - 0] Julius Aghahowa
22' [2 - 0] Julius Aghahowa
0 - 0
Group G
0 - 2
83' [0 - 1] Nelson Haedo Valdez
90+3' [0 - 2] Nelson Haedo Valdez
90' Miguel Angulo ("Valencia") sent off the field
3 - 0
33' [1 - 0] Julio Ricardo Cruz
60' [2 - 0] Obafemi Martins
63' [3 - 0] Obafemi Martins
Group H
1 - 3
28' [0 - 1] Sergey Semak
37' [1 - 1] Fabrice Pancrate
64' [1 - 2] Sergey Semak
70' [1 - 3] Sergey Semak
54' Deividas Šemberas ("CSKA") sent off the field
2 - 1
34' [0 - 1] Damien Duff
61' [1 - 1] Diego
86' [2 - 1] Benny McCarthy
