Chelsea narrowly defeated Lille 2-1 at the Stamford Bridge courtesy first half goals from Abraham and Azpilicueta. Ajax needed to draw or win against Valencia to qualify to the knockout round but a goal from Rodrigo was enough to sink the Amsterdammers.
Inter Milan also lost to a weakened Barcelona side at the San Siro after Ansu Fati scored a late winner to give the La Liga leaders a 2-1 win.
Chelsea vs Lille
Chelsea survived a late scare to move into the Champions League knockout stages with victory over Lille at Stamford Bridge.
Frank Lampard’s side were in complete control for the most part and set up the victory they required with first-half goals from Tammy Abraham and Cesar Azpilicueta.
Read:UCL: Chelsea made to wait after dramatic draw
Chelsea’s nerves were frayed when former striker Loic Remy pulled one back for Lille late on but they were able to close out victory to reach the last 16 after finishing a tough group in second place behind Valencia but ahead of last season’s semi-finalists Ajax.
Abraham scored his 13th goal of the season after 19 minutes when he turned in Willian’s cross from close range while Azpilicueta headed in from Emerson’s corner 10 minutes before the break.
Lille, with nothing but pride to play for and with a much-changed team, barely threatened until Remy’s late strike but Chelsea saw out the win to complete the first phase of their Champions League assignment.
Ajax vs Valencia
Last season’s Champions League semi-finalists Ajax were knocked out in the group stages as Valencia progressed instead with victory at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Read:Chelsea accuse Fifa of double standards over transfer ban
Rodrigo scored the only goal midway through the first half as he blasted into the roof of the net from Ferran Torres’ clever pass.
Ajax desperately pushed for the equaliser they needed with Lisandro Martinez and Hakim Ziyech forcing late saves from Valencia keeper Jaume Domenech.
Valencia had defender Gabriel sent off in injury time for clashing heads with Dusan Tadic in a very tense finale in Amsterdam.
Ajax were seconds away from reaching last year’s final before Lucas Moura’s injury-time strike sent Tottenham to the final instead.
Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt were among the stars of that team to leave last summer and they have not been the same since.
Read:Chelsea go second on Premier League table after sixth straight win
Two defeats at home – by Chelsea and Valencia – and a 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge have ultimately cost them.
Valencia go through as group winners, with Chelsea in second after their 2-1 win over Lille.
Source:Â wires