With a victory over Galatasaray in Copenhagen on Tuesday, Lukas Lerager’s team advanced to the Champions League round of 16, marking the second time in their existence.
Even if United had defeated Bayern Munich, Erik ten Hag’s struggling squad would not have advanced past the round of 32 in the Champions League thanks to Copenhagen’s 1-0 victory over Galatasaray on Tuesday. Copenhagen is now guaranteed a spot in the tournament’s knockout stage.
United, which fell short of Bayern 1-0, needed draws from Copenhagen and Galatasaray to maintain its aspirations. United comes in last, while Galatasaray comes in third and will play in the Europa League.
In Group A, Manchester United was eliminated from European competition entirely, while Galatasaray advanced to the Europa League playoffs.
Lerager’s tap-in goal in the subsequent half gave Copenhagen the advantage over the Turkish team in third place, ensuring they controlled their own destiny.
On a nerve-wracking evening with everything up for grabs, both teams showed intent in the first forty-five minutes but lacked a decisive edge. The side going through as circumstances had the better opportunity within the first ten minutes.
Peter Ankersen was set up inside the box by some slick passing from Copenhagen, but his right-footed shot went narrowly wide of the far post.
Thirteen minutes after the interval, midfielder Lerager, who had been set up by Elias Achouri, scored from within the six-yard box to give the home team the breakthrough.
Galatasaray, their Champions League participation vanishing before their eyes, accelerated toward the white wall of noise created by the home crowd beyond Kamil Grabara’s goal.
In the 74th minute, Kerem Akturkoglu appeared to be about to give the Turkish team a lifeline back into the game as he raced onto a Mauro Icardi backheel yards away from goal, but his incredible effort went over the bar.
Goal scorer Lerager was given a second yellow card for fouling Akturkoglu just as the game was about to end, but his team managed to hold out for the three minutes of extra time.
For the second time ever, Copenhagen has advanced to the round of 16 in the Champions League. It made it out of a group that included Rubin Kazan, Panathinaikos, and Barcelona, the champions of the 2010–11 Champions League.
Copenhagen was eliminated in the round of sixteen after losing 2-0 on aggregate to Chelsea. Since 2013–14, Galatasaray has not advanced past the first round of play.
