Champions League Thrills: Barcelona Climbs to 2nd, Manchester City Falls, Two Last-Minute Wins, Two Teams Eliminated

December 12th, 2024, witnessed another night of high drama in the UEFA Champions League as teams fought for critical points in the sixth round of the group stage. From heart-stopping last-minute goals to shocking upsets, the night saw Barcelona leap into second place, Manchester City suffer a crucial defeat, and two teams confirmed their elimination from the competition with two rounds still to play.

Juventus 2-0 Manchester City: City’s Struggles Continue

In one of the night's most anticipated matchups, Juventus faced Manchester City in a battle of two heavyweights. The first half was largely uneventful, as neither side could break the deadlock, with both teams seeing limited success in front of goal. However, the second half saw a burst of action, starting in the 53rd minute.

Juventus came out aggressive, launching a barrage of attacks on City’s defense. After a shot from Federico Gatti was saved by City’s goalkeeper, Filippo Ildiz delivered a brilliant cross into the box, where Dusan Vlahovic rose above the defense and powered a header into the net to give Juve the lead. It was a deserved breakthrough for the Bianconeri, who had looked the more dangerous side.

As the match wore on, City struggled to find an equalizer. Then, in the 75th minute, Weston McKennie sealed the deal for Juventus with a fantastic finish. McKennie’s composed low shot into the corner doubled Juventus’s lead, leaving City with little time to mount a comeback. The final whistle blew with Juventus securing a vital 2-0 victory, while Manchester City’s troubles continued, leaving them with only 8 points from 6 games and raising doubts about their chances to advance directly to the knockout rounds.

Arsenal 3-0 Monaco: Gunners Storm to Victory

In another dominant performance, Arsenal extended their strong European campaign with a 3-0 win over AS Monaco. The match was crucial for both sides, but Arsenal showed their class and depth, overpowering the French club with an assertive second-half display.

The first half saw Arsenal struggle to break down Monaco’s defense, but the breakthrough finally came in the 34th minute. Gabriel Jesus delivered a precise pass across the penalty area, where Bukayo Saka was waiting to calmly finish and put Arsenal ahead.

Monaco was unable to respond in the second half, and Arsenal took full advantage. In the 78th minute, Monaco’s defense made a costly mistake. A failed clearance allowed Saka to pounce once again, doubling the Gunners' lead with his second goal of the match. In the 88th minute, Kai Havertz completed the job, scoring a third goal to ensure the 3-0 victory. Arsenal’s win put them firmly in control of their group as they move forward in the competition.

Borussia Dortmund 2-3 Barcelona: Last-Minute Drama Propels Barca to 2nd

Barcelona pulled off a thrilling 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund, continuing their strong form in Europe. The match, held in front of a roaring Dortmund crowd, was a battle of contrasting styles, but it was Barcelona who would emerge victorious after a dramatic finish.

The first half saw both teams unable to find the back of the net, as the match remained goalless at halftime. However, Barcelona broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute. A slick through ball from Dani Olmo set up Rafinha, who slotted the ball past the Dortmund goalkeeper to give Barcelona the lead.

But Dortmund responded quickly, and just seven minutes later, they were awarded a penalty. Jean-Philippe Gbamin was fouled in the box, and Mohamed Ghira made no mistake from the spot, bringing the game level at 1-1.

With the match intensifying, both teams continued to exchange blows. In the 75th minute, Barcelona regained the lead thanks to a quick reaction from substitute Ferran Torres, who capitalized on a rebound to put the Catalan club 2-1 ahead. But again, Dortmund fought back, and Ghira scored his second goal of the match, leveling the score at 2-2.

As the game approached its final moments, Barcelona launched a lightning-fast counterattack in the 85th minute. With Dortmund’s defense stretched, Ferran Torres received a perfectly weighted through ball from 17-year-old La Masia star Lamine Yamal. Torres had plenty of time to adjust his position before calmly firing past the Dortmund goalkeeper to secure an exhilarating 3-2 victory for Barcelona. This dramatic last-minute winner sent Barcelona to second place in their group, just three points behind Liverpool.

AC Milan 2-1 Red Star Belgrade: Late Drama from Milan

AC Milan also joined the ranks of teams securing vital wins with a 2-1 victory over Red Star Belgrade. The match started with Milan taking control, and in the 42nd minute, they found the breakthrough. A long ball from Elies Fofana was expertly controlled by Rafael Leao, who cut inside and fired a powerful shot past the Belgrade goalkeeper to put Milan 1-0 ahead.

Red Star Belgrade were not to be dismissed, and they responded in the second half. In the 67th minute, they equalized through a stunning long-range effort from Aleksandar Radonjic, whose shot sailed into the top corner of the net to make it 1-1.

With time running out, it was Milan’s turn to shine in the final minutes. In the 87th minute, Tammy Abraham rose to the occasion, scoring a last-gasp winner for Milan to seal the 2-1 victory and keep them in the hunt for a top spot in the group.

Atletico Madrid 3-1 Bratislava: Another Dominant Win for Atleti

Atletico Madrid continued their excellent form with a 3-1 win over Slovan Bratislava, with Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez leading the way for the Spanish side. The match was a dominant performance from Atleti, who were looking to extend their 9-match unbeaten streak.

In the 16th minute, Griezmann scored a stunning long-range strike, putting Atletico Madrid 1-0 ahead. Bratislava had little time to regroup, and just before halftime, Griezmann added another goal, this time from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute.

Bratislava managed to pull one back in the second half, with a goal in the 57th minute. However, Atletico's attack was relentless, and Griezmann completed his brace with a third goal to secure a 3-1 win. The victory marked Atletico Madrid’s 10th consecutive win across all competitions, a statement of their current dominance.

Other Results:

Lille secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Sturm Graz, and with 13 points from 6 games, they are firmly positioned in the top eight. The French side, under the guidance of former Beijing Guoan coach Jocelyn Gourvennec, has shown impressive form this season.

In other matches, Benfica and Bologna played to a goalless draw, while Feyenoord triumphed 4-2 over Sparta Prague. Feyenoord’s 10 points from 6 games keep them in contention for a playoff spot.

Stuttgart thrashed Young Boys 5-1, ensuring the Swiss side’s early exit from the competition. Young Boys have now suffered six consecutive defeats, marking them as the third team to be eliminated from the tournament.

With just two rounds left to play, the race for the top spots in the Champions League is intensifying, and some of Europe’s biggest clubs are under pressure to secure their place in the knockout rounds. The new format has brought even more drama to the tournament, and the final stages of the group stage are sure to deliver even more surprises.