PARIS, March 20: Spain had a red letter night in the Champions League on Wednesday but their ecstasy was English misery as Barcelona and Valencia extinguished Newcastle and Arsenal’s hopes of making the last eight.

Arsenal’s 2-1 Group B defeat in Valencia came thanks to a double by Norwegian international striker John Carew, the same man who ended their hopes two years ago in the quarterfinals, and extended their winless drought in all competitions to four matches.

Arsenal, who have only made the last eight once in five campaigns, saw their last hope of sneaking in disappear as Dutch side Ajax confirmed their youthful promise by holding AS Roma 1-1 in Rome, Andy van der Meyde scoring in the first minute, to progress while the Italian giants exited.

Results:

Group A

At Newcastle, England

Newcastle 0 Barcelona 2

At Leverkusen, Germany

Bayer Leverkusen 0 Inter Milan 2

Group B

At Rome

AS Roma 1 Ajax 1

At Valencia, Spain

Valencia 2 Arsenal 1

—AFP