Staff Reporter.
Real Madrid reached the Champions League knockout stage for the 25th successive year with a comfortable win against Sheriff Tiraspol in Moldova.
David Alaba opened the scoring with a free-kick that deflected beyond goalkeeper Giorgos Athanasiadis.
Toni Kroos added a second before the break, firing in off the crossbar, while Karim Benzema then made it three.
It means Real Madrid are through with a game to spare, as are Inter Milan, who beat Shakhtar Donetsk earlier.
Edin Dzeko scored twice after the break in a 2-0 win for the Italians, who visit Real Madrid in the final group game – with only which team qualifies as winners still to be determined.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who lost the reverse fixture against Sheriff, top the group on 12 points, two above Inter.
“We played a good game, a serious game from the start,” Real manager Ancelotti said. “They pushed at first but we controlled them and then we controlled the ball, we carry on with a good dynamic, we keep moving forward.”
“I said at the start of the season, this team can compete. Things are going well, we’re showing a lot of quality in various sectors and various players. Today the team played seriously, played good football.”
Kroos, who was named UEFA’s Man of the Match for his impressive goal and impactful performance, was praised by Ancelotti after the game.
“If Kroos is well, the coach is calmer!” he said. “He controls the ball like nobody else. In recent games he’s scored goals too, he’s doing well.”
Sporting Lisbon reached the knockout phase for the first time since the 2008-2009 season as they beat Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in the Portuguese capital.
Pedro Goncalves netted twice as Sporting got the two-goal winning margin they needed to end the Germans’ hopes of advancing to the knock-out stages.
Dortmund’s campaign has been derailed by the continued absence of Erling Haaland with a hip injury and they will have to settle for a place in the Europa League.
⏰ RESULTS ⏰
Inter, Manchester City, Paris, Real Madrid & Sporting CP secure last-16 spots ?
? Who impressed you most?#UCL
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 24, 2021
Liverpool were already qualified for the last 16 going into their tie against Porto at Anfield and Thiago Alcantara’s superb low shot and Mohamed Salah’s sixth goal of this season’s group phase wrapped up a comfortable 2-0 win.