Chelsea’s hopes of reaching the UEFA Champions League knockout round hinge on today’s final round of group matches.
The Blues must defeat Nordsjaelland and have Shakhtar Donetsk defeat Juventus in order to avoid becoming the first defending champion to be eliminated in the group stage.
Celtic also has their survival hopes hinging on today’s action, with the Scottish champions currently tied for second place in Group G with Benfica, which takes on leaders Barcelona. A Benfica loss and Celtic win or tie against Spartak Moscow could send the Hoops on to the Round of 16.
If you will be watching today’s action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Today’s UEFA Champions League Schedule and TV info is after the jump):
TODAY’S UEFA Champions League Schedule
2:45pm-Â Fox Soccer Channel/FoxSoccer2G0.com- Chelsea vs. Nordsdjaelland
2:45pm-Â Fox Soccer Plus/FoxSoccer2G0.com- Manchester United vs. CFR Cluj
2:45pm-Â MSG Plus/FoxSoccer2G0.com- Celtic vs. Spartak Moscow
2:45pm-Â Fox Deportes/FoxSoccer2G0.com- Barcelona vs. Benfica
2:45pm-Â DirecTV/FoxSoccer2G0.com- Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Juventus
2:45pm-Â DirecTV/FoxSoccer2G0.com- Sporting Braga vs. Galatasaray
2:45pm-Â DirecTV/FoxSoccer2G0.com- Lille vs. Valencia
2:45pm- DirecTV/FoxSoccer2G0.com- Bayern Munich vs. BATE Borisov
Commons penalty for Celtic to put them up around the ~82nd minute was absolutely legendary. The kid knew if he made it, Celtic would most certainly go thru to the Knockout round, and if he missed, they were more than likely out of the Champions League. The crowd was absolutely rowdy all match, which amplified the tension at that moment exponentially, Lennon couldn’t bear to watch from the dugout, and he stepped up and smashed it right down the middle, off the bottom side of the cross bar, down into the grass, and up into the roof of the net. I was a neutral at kickoff, but couldn’t help myself from rooting for Celtic by the end of things. Man I’m glad I watched that match today, because even tho it wasn’t very pretty, those type of moments are what makes soccer so damn awesome.
Wow, Parkhurst really made hash of that. If Torres could play against American defenders more often, he might find that scoring touch all over again.
Terrible call.
Specify the game…
I think he means the 2nd penalty given to Chelsea. I am watching Celtic, but Guardian MBM thought it was crap. Luiz converted for 1-0 Chelsea lead.
But yeah, specify game…
I’d guess Chelsea vs nordsjaelland seeing as there have been three penalties for three handballs in the box..
right… completely obvious regardless of which game I happen to be watching.
I was actually specifiying which is exactly what you asked for.
Spartak tie up Celtic on a gorgeous chip that the defender can only head into the top of the net, 1-1.
Wow! A missed penalty for each side in Chelsea match!
There are 4 games I wish I was watching, can’t ask for much more on the last day of group games (and especially after yesterday’s non-drama).
Hazard miss: http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/eden-hazard-penalty-miss-chelsea-v-fc-nordsjaelland/
Nordsjaelland miss: http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/nordsjaelland-win-a-penalty-at-chelsea-peter-cech-saves/
I just saw The Dark Knight Rises. *bows before Christopher Nolan*
Christopher Nolan = successor to Fergie at Man United
Goal Celtic! Hooper picks up a ball off a defender and hammers it from the edge of the box thru the keepers legs. Could something nice happen in Scottish football, or is it a set up for a greater disappointment?
Celtic crowd is bonkers, hope they make it thru just for that.
Torres scores. $5 on it
You’re on.
Boom! Goal Torres! It only took his shot being saved but bouncing back off his chest as he hurdled the keeper and having an empty net to shoot again into. But it happened.
to be fair, torres was looking like scoring the whole game. plays well against a team that has nothing to play for.
2 for Torres
Oops.
Wheres my cash? Or at least donate it to Unicef