Zenit St Petersburg's Danny (centre) challenges for the ball with Juventus goalkeeper Alexander Manninger (left) and Juventus player Claudio Marchisio during their Champions League Group H match in St Petersburg yesterday. The game ended 0-0. - AP
LONDON (AP):
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Manchester United led a sweep of seven more teams into the last 16 of the Champions League yesterday after a 0-0 draw with Villarreal.
Nine-time winners Real Madrid, four-time champions Bayern Munich, two-time winners FC Porto, Lyon, Arsenal and Villarreal also advanced to the knockout phase with a game to spare.
That means 10 have already made it with Juventus, Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon also having advanced.
Cristiano Ronaldo had a shot pushed on to the crossbar by goalkeeper Diego Lopez but the draw meant that both United and Villareal have nine points at the top of Group E. Even though Aalborg came from behind to beat Celtic 2-1, they only have five points and the Scottish champions have two.
Raul Gonzalez netted Real Madrid's seventh-minute goal in a 1-0 victory at BATE Borisov which meant they joined already-qualified Juventus from Group H. Juve were held 0-0 by Zenit St Petersburg, last season's UEFA Cup winners who can't catch either of the powerhouse teams.
Two goals by Miroslav Klose helped Bayern Munich cruise into the knockout phase with a 3-0 victory over Steaua Bucharest and Lyon won 2-1 at Fiorentina which means both are out of reach with 11 points in Group F.
Nicklas Bendtner's 87th-minute winner for Arsenal secured a 1-0 win over Dynamo Kiev in Cesc Fabregas' first game as captain, giving the Gunners 11 points as well.
It was a happy ending to a grim few days for the Gunners after Premier League losses to Aston Villa and Manchester City and William Gallas' revelations of fallouts between players.
FC Porto also made it to the last 16 with a 2-1 victory at Fenerbahce with two first-half goals by Lisandro Lopez.
Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon, currently first and second in Group C, play today having already made it to the last 16.
