Big guns share spoils on way to last 16

Valencia and Bayern Munich both progressed to the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 1-1 draw at the Mestalla last night.

Los Che — who knew they were already in the last 16 before the game — were reduced to 10 men in the 33rd minute after right-back Antonio Barragan fouled David Alaba to receive a second yellow card.

Yet Valencia midfielder Sofiane Feghouli made it 1-0 in the 77th minute with a bouncing shot.

Bayern winger Thomas Mueller equalised with a deflected shot in the 82nd minute.

Elsewhere in the group, Lille recorded their first win of a demoralising campaign with a 2-0 success at BATE Borisov.

The Ligue 1 side had not taken a single point from their first four matches but they scored twice in the first half through Djibril Sidibe and Gianni Bruno and held on without conceding, despite Sidibe being sent off with 15 minutes remaining.

In Chelsea’s Group E, a hat-trick by Adriano and two goals from Willian saw Shakhtar Donetsk go through to the knockout stages following a controversial game at Nordsjaelland.

In a see-saw game, the Danish hosts twice went ahead, through Morten Nordstrand and Kasper Lorentzen, but Shakhtar fought back twice to level the scores before the break.

However, Shakhtar were dominant after the break to run out 5-2 winners to remain a point clear of Juventus.

In Manchester United’s Group H, a first-half Rui Pedro hat-trick fired CFR Cluj closer to a first appearance in the knockout stage following a comfortable 3-1 win over 10-man Braga.

Portuguese striker Rui Pedro ended the qualifying hopes of his countrymen during a scintillating opening first half. While Alan had pulled a goal back on 17 minutes to make it 2-1, Cluj were in full control by the break once Douglao saw red in added time.

Victory ensured Cluj moved level with second-placed Galatasaray, with a game remaining in Group H.