VfL Wolfsburg have qualified for the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in the club's history after a 3-2 home victory against Manchester United and Die Mannschaft captain Bastian Schweinsteiger. Dieter Hecking's men secured the top spot in their group, while Man Utd will have to settle for the Europa League with PSV Eindhoven claiming second place.
The visitors took an early lead through Anthony Martial but Naldo promptly equalised with a fine volley following a set-piece. Vieirinha finished off a fine attacking move from Wolfsburg shortly before the half-hour mark, with Julian Draxler selflessly teeing up his teammate. It was an intense and open game, as Man Utd levelled the scores with less than ten minutes left to play through an own goal from Josuha Guilavogui. Again, Wolfsburg were able to respond immediately as Naldo bagged his second goal of the night with a powerful head following a corner kick.
Wolfsburg was able to prevent a déjà-vu experience with this win, as Manchester United had eliminated them six years ago on the final matchday of their first ever Champions League season.
Gladbach collapse late on
Borussia Mönchengladbach's adventure in Europe endured a bitter end. The Foals held a 2-1 lead at one point of their game at Manchester City, but conceded three late goals to suffer a 4-2 defeat. Gladbach finished bottom of the table after Juventus lost 1-0 to Sevilla in the other group's pairing.
Raheem Sterling's brace and Wilfried Bony's strike in the closing twelve minutes of the match handed the knockout blow to Gladbach. Before that, Julian Korb and Raffael had turned around the game for the Foals after David Silva had opened the scoring for City. Gladbach put in an excellent performance just three days after their 3-1 victory against FC Bayern but ultimately are left empty-handed.
VfL Wolfsburg have qualified for the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in the club's history after a 3-2 home victory against Manchester United and Die Mannschaft captain Bastian Schweinsteiger. Dieter Hecking's men secured the top spot in their group, while Man Utd will have to settle for the Europa League with PSV Eindhoven claiming second place.
The visitors took an early lead through Anthony Martial but Naldo promptly equalised with a fine volley following a set-piece. Vieirinha finished off a fine attacking move from Wolfsburg shortly before the half-hour mark, with Julian Draxler selflessly teeing up his teammate. It was an intense and open game, as Man Utd levelled the scores with less than ten minutes left to play through an own goal from Josuha Guilavogui. Again, Wolfsburg were able to respond immediately as Naldo bagged his second goal of the night with a powerful head following a corner kick.
Wolfsburg was able to prevent a déjà-vu experience with this win, as Manchester United had eliminated them six years ago on the final matchday of their first ever Champions League season.
Gladbach collapse late on
Borussia Mönchengladbach's adventure in Europe endured a bitter end. The Foals held a 2-1 lead at one point of their game at Manchester City, but conceded three late goals to suffer a 4-2 defeat. Gladbach finished bottom of the table after Juventus lost 1-0 to Sevilla in the other group's pairing.
Raheem Sterling's brace and Wilfried Bony's strike in the closing twelve minutes of the match handed the knockout blow to Gladbach. Before that, Julian Korb and Raffael had turned around the game for the Foals after David Silva had opened the scoring for City. Gladbach put in an excellent performance just three days after their 3-1 victory against FC Bayern but ultimately are left empty-handed.
