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Rediff.com  » Sports » Champions League PHOTOS: United play-offs hopes hang in balance; Real win

Champions League PHOTOS: United play-offs hopes hang in balance; Real win

Last updated on: November 26, 2015 09:42 IST
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Photos from the UEFA Champions League matches played across Europe on Wednesday

Manchester United's Jesse Lingard and Wayne Rooney look dejected after missing scoring opportunity during their UEFA Champions League Group B match against PSV Eindhoven at Old Trafford on Wednesday

IMAGE: Manchester United's Jesse Lingard and Wayne Rooney look dejected after missing scoring opportunity during their UEFA Champions League Group B match against PSV Eindhoven at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Manchester United endured a frustrating night when they were held to a goalless draw by PSV Eindhoven at Old Trafford on Wednesday, squandering the opportunity to seal their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

United would have qualified with a win, but their hopes are now in the balance with the top three teams in Group B separated by only two points with one match to play.

United, who have eight points, have to visit leaders VfL Wolfsburg, who have nine, on Dec. 8 when only a win might be good enough.

PSV, who are third on seven points, will qualify if they beat bottom-placed CSKA Moscow at home in their final game.

United captain Wayne Rooney believed United were not ruthless enough. "It was a game we were capable of winning. I thought we were unlucky not to go into the break 1-0 up," he said.

"In the second half we showed a lack of composure but we are not ruthless enough. We need to score more goals and start turning these sort of games into victories."

It was United's fourth goalless draw in their last seven matches and their lack of firepower could well cost them dear this season.

The best chance of all fell to Jesse Lingard who could have wrapped up the win for United but blasted over the bar after 73 minutes.

Real take top spot by thwarting Shakhtar rally

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a goal against Shakhtar Donetsk

IMAGE: Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a goal against Shakhtar Donetsk during their UEFA Champions League Group A match at Arena Lviv in Ukraine. Photograph: Gleb Garanich/Reuters

Real Madrid, who had already sealed a place in the last 16 of the Champions League, ensured top spot in Group A with a remarkable 4-3 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday. ad

Cristiano Ronaldo scored after 18 and 70 minutes while Luka Modric (50) and Dani Carvajal (52) also struck to put the 10-times European champions in complete command on a freezing night in western Ukraine.

The temperature then soared quickly, on the field at least, as Shakhtar netted three times in the closing stages.

Brazilian midfielder Alex Teixeira converted a penalty after 77 minutes before Dentinho chested the ball into the net from a corner.

Teixeira was again on target with an elegant drive in the 88th minute as the hosts gave Real a huge fright.

Real have 13 points from five matches, three ahead of Paris St Germain who also qualified by beating Malmo 5-0 in Sweden.

PSG are sure to finish second because they have an inferior head to head record against Real. Shakhtar and Malmo both have three points.

Ronaldo opened the scoring with a header and grabbed his second goal of the night on the rebound after his initial attempt was blocked by a defender.

The Portugal forward also played a part in the other two goals by the visitors before Shakhtar came storming back as Real conceded their first goals in this year's competition.

Mandzukic sends Juve into last 16 with win over City

Juventus' Mario Mandzukic (right) scores the first goal against Manchester City during their UEFA Champions League Group D match in Turin

IMAGE: Juventus' Mario Mandzukic (right) scores the first goal against Manchester City during their UEFA Champions League Group D match in Turin. Photograph: Giorgio Perottino/Reuters

Mario Mandzukic shrugged off his poor recent form to score the goal that sent last year's runners-up Juventus into the Champions League round of 16 with a 1-0 win over ManchesterCity on Wednesday.

The Croatia forward struck in the 18th minute, just after Fernandinho had missed a golden opportunity for the visitors who had already made sure of their place in the knockout stage.

In a match which only sporadically burst into life, Stefano Sturaro hit the post for Juventus and Raheem Sterling squandered another excellent chance for City 10 minutes from time.

Juventus completed a double over the English Premier League side, who had already qualified from Group D after winning their previous three games.

The Serie A champions, still unbeaten after five games, now top the group with 11 points and visit Sevilla in their final match.

Mandzukic found the net when Alex Sandro sent over a cross from the left and the Croatia forward held off Nicolas Otamendi's challenge to volley the ball in from close range.

With Paul Pogba in inspired form in midfield for Juventus, Mandzukic then forced a good save from Joe Hart who also blocked an effort from Stephan Lichtsteiner after the Swiss had burst down the right.

Morata came on for Mandzukic in the 54th minute and almost immediately set up a second.

The Spaniard burst clear and lifted his effort over Joe Hart but wide of the goal and Sturaro hit the post from point-blank range as he tried to prod it in.

Hart made another good save to deny Dybala after he got free, then Sterling failed to score from close range with Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon caught off balance.

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Source: REUTERS
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