Staff Reporter.
Champions League holders Chelsea blew the chance to top their group as they were held to a 3-3 draw against Zenit St Petersburg at the Gazprom Arena on Wednesday.
Thomas Tuchel’s side had already qualified for the round of 16, but needed to match Juventus’ result against Malmo to finish top of Group H, while Zenit had already confirmed their place in the Europa League.
The visitors took an early lead through Timo Werner, but found themselves down by a goal at half time after two goals in quick succession from Claudinho and Sardar Azmoun put Zenit ahead.
But Chelsea were able to find an equaliser on 62 minutes through Romelu Lukaku, before Werner put the visitors back ahead with five minutes to go — with a 3-2 victory enough to secure top spot.
However, an injury time goal from substitute Magomed Ozdoev saw Zenit draw level once again.
Meanwhile Juventus progressed to the Champions League knockout stages as group winners after their comfortable 1-0 victory over Malmo on Wednesday, coupled with Chelsea’s draw at Zenit St Petersburg.
A much-changed Juventus, already assured of their place in the knockout stages, raced into an 18th-minute lead when Moise Kean headed his first Champions League goal from an inch-perfect Federico Bernardeschi cross.
With Malmo guaranteed to finish bottom of the group, the Swedes had little incentive to push for a leveller and Juve closed out the win without ever being seriously troubled.
The Italian side’s fifth win from six group games looked to be in vain as England’s Chelsea led 3-2 in Russia in stoppage time, but a last-gasp Zenit equaliser meant Juve finished two points clear at the top of the group.