Gonzalo Higuain's goal helped give Napoli a 2-0 win over 10-man Arsenal in their final Champions League Group F game, as the Gunners qualified in second place following a late victory for Borussia Dortmund away to Marseille. Arsenal needed a point to be sure of seeding for the knockout stage, but will now likely face one of Europe's leading sides such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid or Paris St Germain in Monday's draw. Higuain, who was a summer transfer target for Arsenal, slotted home on 73 minutes to finally break Arsenal's determined resistance and after Mikel Arteta was shown a second yellow card, it was always going to be an uphill battle to get back into the tie. Jose Callejon chipped in a second during stoppage-time, but it was not enough and Rafa Benitez's men must now regroup for the Europa League.
Chelsea secured top spot in Champions League Group E with a 1-0 defeat of Steaua Bucharest in a performance which is unlikely to have European football's elite cowering for cover. The Blues had already qualified for the last 16 prior to the final match of the group campaign against already-eliminated Steaua, yet Jose Mourinho insisted his side were not contenders for the European Cup this term. Demba Ba's early goal earned victory over the Romanians, but on this evidence - as well as in the defeats to Basle at home and away - there is much to do if the Blues, the 2012 winners, are going to advance to the latter stages of the competition in the new year.
Celtic's Champions League campaign ended in jolting fashion as Barcelona star Neymar scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 demolition at the Nou Camp. It was the visitors' heaviest defeat in Europe since they lost 5-0 away to Artmedia in 2005 and in truth it could have been more damaging. The Hoops, with three points from their first five fixtures, were guaranteed to finish bottom of Group H before the trip to Catalonia and they found themselves behind after only seven minutes when Barca defender Gerard Pique opened the scoring from close range. Barcelona, who needed a point to finish top of the section, were in scintillating form and when Pedro Rodriguez and Neymar added a second and third before the break a thrashing was on the cards. Neymar scored his second two minutes after the break before grabbing his hat-trick before the hour mark as the Hoops all but crumbled.
Substitute Cristian Tello got in on the act in the 71st minute when his drive was heavily deflected past Fraser Forster by Parkhead defender Virgil van Dijk for number six before Georgios Samaras grabbed a late goal. The Scottish Premiership leaders will surely retain their title and get another tilt at European football's elite club competition again next year.
