Man U, Real Madrid, Bayern charge into last 16

Defending champion Manchester United led seven more teams into the final 16 of the Champions League after a 0-0 tie with Villarreal on Tuesday.

Nine-time winner Real Madrid, four-time champion Bayern Munich, two-time winner FC Porto, Lyon, Arsenal and Villarreal also advanced to the knockout phase with a game to spare.

That means 10 have already made it with Juventus, Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon also having advanced.

Cristiano Ronaldo had a shot pushed onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Diego Lopez but the draw meant that both United and Villareal have nine points at the top of Group E. Even though Aalborg came from behind to beat Celtic 2-1, it only has five points and the Scottish champion has two.

Raul Gonzalez scored Real Madrid’s seventh-minute goal in a 1-0 victory at BATE Borisov which meant it joined already-qualified Juventus from Group H. Juve was held 0-0 by Zenit St. Petersburg, last season’s UEFA Cup winner which can’t catch either of the powerhouse teams.

Two goals by Miroslav Klose helped Bayern Munich cruise into the knockout phase with a 3-0 victory over Steaua Bucharest and Lyon won 2-1 at Fiorentina which means both are out of reach with 11 points in Group F.

Nicklas Bendtner’s 87th-minute goal for Arsenal secured a 1-0 win over Dynamo Kiev in Cesc Fabregas’ first game as captain, giving the Gunners 11 points as well.

It was a happy ending to a grim few days for the Gunners after Premier League losses to Aston Villa and Manchester City, and William Gallas’ revelations of fallouts between players.

FC Porto also made it to the last 16 with a 2-1 victory at Fenerbahce with two first half goals by Lisandro Lopez.

Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon, currently first and second in Group C, play on Wednesday having already made it to the last 16.