Last-gasp Real join Chelsea, Bayern in last-16

Arsenal lose 2-1 to Shaktar Donetsk in Champions league, Real earn 2-2 draw.

PARIS: Real Madrid struck late to earn a 2-2 draw at AC Milan and secure a place in the Champions League knockout phase, where they will be joined by Chelsea and Bayern Munich.

Chelsea won 4-1 at home to Spartak Moscow to go six points clear in Group F, while Bayern maintained their perfect record with a 4-0 win at CFR Cluj in Group E, but Arsenal were defeated 2-1 by Shakhtar Donetsk.

Real’s trip to Milan marked Jose Mourinho’s first visit to the San Siro since he left Inter Milan after guiding them to last season’s Champions League title, and his new side immediately established a firm grip on the game.

Real’s Gonzalzo Higuain capitalised on Angel di Maria’s pass to score before half-time. The hosts drew level when Filippo Inzaghi headed home from close range in the 68th minute. Inzaghi, a replacement for the disappointing Ronaldinho, put Milan ahead 10 minutes later. But in the fourth minute of injury time, Pedro Leon converted a pass from fellow substitute Karim Benzema to score. The result puts Real five points clear of Milan, who are now two points ahead of bottom side Auxerre.

Nicolas Anelka opened the scoring for Chelsea, before Didier Drogba marked his first start in the competition with a 62nd-minute penalty. A brace from Branislav Ivanovic made sure of the points, with Nikita Bazhenov replying for the visitors.

Meanwhile, Arsenal took a 10th-minute lead through Theo Walcott, but the hosts claimed their win through goals from Craig Eastmond and Eduardo.

Mario Gomez grabbed a hat-trick as Bayern routed Cluj 4-0 and Roma survived a late fightback to win 3-2 at Basel. Auxerre defeated Ajax 2-1, Marseille claimed a brilliant 7-0 win over MSK Zilina and Braga walked away victorious with a 1-0 against Partizan Belgrade.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 5^th, 2010.