Soccer Central

Manchester United needed a draw this evening, Arsenal meanwhile required a win. Arsenal scored a late goal to win 1-0 against Dynamo Kiev, Manchester United meanwhile drew 0-0 with Villarreal, a fourth consecutive goalless draw between these two teams.

Both teams got the results they required, the two end results could easily have been very different however. Ronaldo had a thunderous strike tipped onto the bar by Villarreal goalkeeper Diego Lopez, and with Nicklas Bendtner’s late strike which secured the win for Arsenal there were definite suspicions of handball. Whilst controlling the ball it definitely looked as though the ball stroked the arm of Nicklas Bendtner, the referee was in no position to make this call however, and with the assistant failing to flag; the goal stood, and Arsenal got away with it.

Both teams now have the potential to win their respective groups, it all goes down to the final group game however and both teams will be looking for the best result possible. Arsenal only need a draw, Manchester United however will need to defeat Aalborg, and if they do indeed defeat Aalborg then the only way for Villarreal to top the group would be to defeat Celtic by two more goals than what Manchester United beat Aalborg by.

Celtic will be taking no further action in Europe this season having lost 2-1 this evening away at Aalborg. They’ll not be entering into the UEFA Cup, and it’s goodbye to Europe now until next year for the current Scottish Premier League leaders from Glasgow.

Celtic went 1-0 up with a 53rd minute goal from Barry Robson, they lost the game late on however with a 73rd minute equaliser from Caca, and then an 87th minute disaster as Gary Caldwell conceded an own goal. Things looked so promising for Celtic when they went 1-0 up, it wasn’t to be though, and instead Aalborg took all three points from the game.

Neither side will be qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League this season, it was still a good home win for Aalborg however and one that they’ll be proud to have achieved. It’s goodbye to Celtic, and the team will now just have to concentrate on keeping their place at the top of the Scottish Premier, a league they currently lead by four points over Glasgow rivals Rangers.