Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven booked their places in the knockout stage on a night of six-goal thrillers at Real Madrid, Galatasaray and Benfica.
Twelve teams have now booked their places in the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League knockout stage after Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven joined the club in contrasting fashion on a night of thrilling comebacks and plenty of goals.
UEFA.com rounds up all the action as Matchday 5 drew to a close on Wednesday.
The Turkish side twice recovered from two goals down to earn a share of the spoils in an end-to-end thriller. United were on course for a much-needed win when they raced into a 2-0 lead inside 18 minutes courtesy of Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes, but the game opened up when Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick somehow found a way through. Scott McTominay restored the visitors’ cushion only for Ziyech to repeat the feat before turning provider for Kerem Aktürkoğlu’s stunning equaliser.
Player of the Match: Hakim Ziyech (Galatasaray)
Key stat: United scored three goals in all three of their Group A away games but came away with a solitary point.
12/12: Copenhagen vs Galatasaray, Man United vs Bayern
Bayern 0-0 Copenhagen
Bayern’s record 17-match winning run in the group stage was ended as Copenhagen strengthened their challenge for the Group A runners-up spot. Chances were at a premium in Munich, with the majority falling to the visitors as the chilly night wore on and Mohamed Elyounoussi being denied by a brilliant double save from Manuel Neuer right at the end.
Player of the Match: Rasmus Falk (Copenhagen)
Key stat: Before Wednesday, Bayern had won their last six home matches in all competitions, scoring an average of over four goals per match in the process.
12/12: Copenhagen vs Galatasaray, Man United vs Bayern
Group B
Sevilla 2-3 PSV
Ricardo Pepi’s added-time header gave PSV a thrilling comeback win in a pulsating encounter against Sevilla. Veteran defender Sergio Ramos bundled the hosts in front before Youssef En-Nesyri doubled the lead with a deft finish just after half-time. But the momentum of the match changed completely when Lucas Ocampos was shown two yellow cards in quick succession, and Ismael Saibari’s fine volley was followed by a Nemanja Gudelj own goal before Pepi sealed a priceless victory.
Player of the Match: Johan Bakayoko (PSV)
Key stat: At 37 years and 244 days, Sergio Ramos became the oldest Spanish scorer in Champions League history, beating former international team-mate Pedro Rodríguez (36 years and 89 days).
12/12: Lens vs Sevilla, PSV vs Arsenal
Arsenal 6-0 Lens
Arsenal won Group B in emphatic fashion, Kai Havertz requiring 13 minutes to stab in the first of five first-half goals. Gabriel Jesus slotted in the second and Bukayo Saka converted from close range, before Gabriel Martinelli curled in and Martin Ødegaard fired a first-time volley on the stroke of half-time. Substitute Jorginho added an 86th-minute penalty to complete a result that means Lens, for whom Facundo Medina hit a post, cannot finish higher than third.
Player of the Match: Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
Key stat: Arsenal had six different goalscorers for the first time in a Champions League match, group stage to final.
12/12: Lens vs Sevilla, PSV vs Arsenal
Group C
Real Madrid 4-2 Napoli
Substitutes Nicolás Paz and Joselu sealed victory for Real Madrid as the hosts secured top spot in Group C. Before that, Napoli stunned the Santiago Bernabéu crowd after just nine minutes, with Giovanni Simeone prodding in from close range. Rodrygo’s fine curling effort and Jude Bellingham’s powerful header then turned the tables midway through the first half, before André-Frank Zambo Anguissa levelled things up shortly after the restart. But the Partenopei were unable to repel the Madrid pressure late on.
Player of the Match: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Key stat: Real Madrid have won 16 of their last 17 Champions League matches against Serie A clubs.
12/12: Union Berlin vs Real Madrid, Napoli vs Braga
