Champions League: What Real Madrid need to qualify for last 16
Inter Milan's win over Borussia Mönchengladbach means Real Madrid's fate remains in their hands going into the final round of Champions League Group B games.
Borussia Mönchengladbach's defeat to Inter Milan means Real Madrid's fate will still be in their own hands on the final matchday of Champions League Group B, despite Los Blancos losing 2-0 to Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.
Victory in Kyiv would have confirmed Madrid's qualification for the knockout stages, but after going down to goals by Dentinho and Manor Solomon, the 13-time tournament winners now find themselves third in the group, behind Shakhtar and leaders Mönchengladbach.
See also:
Inter do Real Madrid favour with win over Mönchengladbach
Had Mönchengladbach beaten Inter, the Germans would have been confirmed as Group B winners and, to leapfrog Shakhtar into second place, Madrid would have needed to better the Ukrainians' result against Inter when they host Gladbach on matchday six.
However, Inter's 3-2 win at Borussia-Park means Madrid can seal qualification in their final group game without having to depend on the outcome of Shakhtar's visit to Milan. Not only that, but it is still possible that Zinedine Zidane's men could top their section.
Champions League Group B standings
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
PTS | ||
| 1 | B. Mönchengladbach | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 7 | +9 | 8 |
| 2 | Shakhtar Donetsk | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 12 | -7 | 7 |
| 3 | Real Madrid | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 7 |
| 4 | Inter Milan | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 5 |
Matchday six:
Real Madrid vs Borussia Mönchengladbach
Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Real Madrid's Group B permutations:
What Madrid need to do to qualify:
Real Madrid will be through to the Champions League last 16 if they beat Mönchengladbach.
A draw will also do Los Merengues as long as Shakhtar lose against Inter. In this scenario, Madrid would finish level on eight points with the Nerazzurri, but their head-to-head advantage over Antonio Conte’s side would see them qualify at their expense.
What Madrid need to win the group:
Madrid will finish as Group B winners if they win and Shakhtar fail to beat Inter.
How Los Blancos would go out of the Champions League:
Madrid will finish third and go into the Europa League if they draw or lose and Shakhtar avoid defeat.
The Spaniards will come bottom of the group and be eliminated from Europe altogether if they lose and Inter defeat Shakhtar.
Group B to be decided on 9 December
Both fixtures in the final round of matches in Champions League Group B will be played at 21:00 CET on 9 December.
