Barca held by Benfica, Ronaldo sends Man Utd to last 16

Barcelona’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League last 16 go down to the final Group E matchday after an entertaining 0-0 draw against Benfica on Tuesday.

With Xavi Hernandez taking charge of his second game since replacing Ronald Koeman in the Barca dugout, the Catalan side produced a performance a world apart from the sorry outfit Benfica saw off 3-0 in Lisbon in September.

A win would have earned Barca qualification alongside Bayern Munich, whom they must now beat on December 8, if Benfica down Dynamo Kiev, to progress.

In torrential rain, the Xavi-invigorated hosts were dripping with newfound intensity and pace.

Yusuf Demir, on loan from Rapid Vienna, curled a shot from inside the penalty area to beat Odysseas Vlachodimos, but not the crossbar.

Quick reflexes from the Greek keeper’s opposite number Marc-Andre ter Stegen had denied Roman Yaremchuk’s close-range header 10 minutes earlier.

On 68 minutes Frenkie de Jong’s header had ‘opening goal’ written all over it, only for Vlachodimos to tip the ball over the bar.

With the clock ticking down, Araujo thought he had delivered the decisive moment but his effort seven minutes from time was ruled offside.

And Benfica almost got the winner in stoppage time but Haris Seferovic fluffed a great chance with only Ter Stegen to beat.

United reach round of 16

Manchester United booked their place in the Champions League last 16 as Cristiano Ronaldo scored in a 2-0 victory at Villarreal on Tuesday, while holders Chelsea also reached the knockout phase by thumping Juventus.

Three-time European champions United went into their first game since sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the weekend needing a win to confirm a top-two finish in Group F.

David de Gea made two crucial saves and United, with Michael Carrick in caretaker charge, took advantage through Ronaldo’s 78th-minute lob.

Jadon Sancho, so often a peripheral figure since his big-money move from Borussia Dortmund in the close-season, capped a fine individual display with his first goal for the club late on.