Tottenham ensured top spot in their Champions League qualifying group last night after battling to a 3-3 draw with FC Twente and FC Copenhagen became the first Danish club to reach the knockout stages after they outclassed Panathinaikos 3-1.
Tottenham, who had already assured themselves of a place in the last 16, clinched first place in Group A with a draw as second-placed Inter crashed to defeat at Werder Bremen.
An entertaining contest against the Dutch champions saw Spurs take the lead three times thanks to a Peter Wisgerhof own goal and two second-half strikes from England international Jermain Defoe.
Twente secured a share of the points thanks to goals from Denny Landzaat, Roberto Rosales and Nacer Chadli.
Werder enjoyed a rare – but alas meaningless – 3-0 win over holders Inter as the Italians progressed while the German team bowed out of Europe.
Not even victory could lift Werder to third and a Europa League place for 2011, but a shot count of 20-6 in their favour told its own story and may once again reignite the debate over the future of Inter coach Rafael Benitez.
Goals either side of half-time by Austrian defender Sebastian Proedl and compatriot Marko Arnautovic sealed the win against the lacklustre Italians before sub Claudio Pizarro added the third near the end.
A Martin Vingaard goal, a Jesper Gronkjaer penalty and an own goal by former Liverpool misfit Djibril Cisse eased FC Copenhagen into the last 16. Cedric Kante grabbed a consolation goal in time added on.
Defeat saw Panathinaikos finish rock bottom of Group D with a paltry return of two goals and two points from their six matches.
A second string Barcelona side proved too strong for Rubin Kazan as the Russians fell 2-0 at the Nou Camp to finish third in the group and book a Europa League berth.
Last season, Rubin, unbeaten in 15 in their domestic league, briefly caused a sensation with a 2-1 pool phase win at the Nou Camp. The return was a draw, as was this campaign’s opener in Russia – hence leaving the Catalan club winless in three previous meetings.
But they put the record straight as they picked off their rivals with second-half goals from Andreu Fontas and Victor Vazquez to send Barcelona streaking on with 14 points ahead of FC Copenhagen.
At Old Trafford, Anderson’s second-half equaliser ensured Manchester United will avoid their main rivals in the last 16 of the competition after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Valencia.
United needed to avoid defeat to seal top spot in Group C but were left shocked when Pablo Hernandez fired the visitors from La Liga into a 32nd minute lead.
Alex Ferguson’s side were guilty of wasting a string of opportunities and it looked like the evening would finish in frustration before Anderson was well placed to level in the 62nd minute, only the Brazilian’s second goal in three-and-a-half-years at United.
The point was enough to ensure United will avoid the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona when the draw for the knockout phase is made on December 17.
Hapoel Tel-Aviv narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Europa League after a 2-2 draw with Lyon, who levelled five minutes from time to save face against the Israeli side.
Summaries
Twente 3
Landzaat 22 pen; Rosales 56; Chadli 64
Tottenham 3
Wisgerhof 12 og; Defoe 47, 59;
W. Bremen 3
Proedl 39; Arnautovic 49; Pizarro 88;
Inter 0
Lyon 2
Lopez 62; Lacazette 88;
H. Tel Aviv 2
Sahar 63; Zehavy 69;
Benfica 1
Luisao 87;
Schalke 2
Jurado 19; Howedes 81;
Man. United 1
Anderson 62;
Valencia 1
Hernandez 32;
Bursaspor 1
Yildirim 79;
Rangers 1
Miller 19;
Barcelona 2
Fontas 51; Vazquez 82;
Rubin Kazan 0
Copenhagen 3
Vingaard 26; Gronkjaer 50 pen; Cisse 73 og;
Panathinaikos 1
Kante 90;