December 14, 2007	Friday	Zilhaj 3, 1428

LONDON, Dec 13: Lyon and Fenerbahce won their final group games on Wednesday to capture the last two spots in the knockout round of the Champions League. Two late goals by Karim Benzema added to an early strike by Sidney Govou in Lyon’s 3-0 victory at Rangers, which had needed only a draw to advance and knock the French champions out.

Lyon advanced from Group E with FC Barcelona, which had already qualified but came from behind to beat VfB Stuttgart 3-1.

Fenerbahce trailed against visiting CSKA Moscow after an own-goal by center back Edu, but turned the game around through playmaker Alex and two strikes by Ugur Boral.

The victory means that it captured second place ahead of PSV Eindhoven, which tumbled 1-0 at home against Group G winner Inter Milan.

Lyon and Fenerbahce advanced on the final day of group qualifying to join 14 other teams in the Dec 21 draw at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

The others are former winners Real Madrid (9 titles), AC Milan (7 and defending champion), Liverpool (5), Barcelona (2), Manchester United (2), FC Porto (2), Inter Milan (2), Celtic (1) and six teams yet to win European soccer’s most prestigious club title, Arsenal, Chelsea, Schalke, Olympiakos, AS Roma and Sevilla.

AS Roma hit back for a 1-1 draw to prevent Manchester United going into the second round with a perfect record of six victories. Sporting Lisbon beat Dynamo Kiev 3-0.

Sevilla won at Slavia Prague 3-0 to finish at the top of Group F. Arsenal placed second after beating Steaua Bucharest 2-1.—AP