Bundesliga
Clinical Bayern finish the job in Barcelona
Sadio Mane scored for the third UEFA Champions League game in a row as Bayern Munich sealed top spot in Group C with victory in Barcelona.
Barcelona 0-3 Bayern Munich
Goals: 0-1 Mane 10' (assist: Gnabry 10'), 0-2 Choupo-Moting 31' (assist: Gnabry), 0-3 Pavard 90'+5 (assist: Gnabry)
Bayern were already assured of their place in the knockouts after winning all four of their previous group games, while Inter Milan’s 4-0 victory over Viktoria Plzen put qualification beyond Barcelona prior to kick-off. The record champions could have been forgiven for going easy in the context, but instead delivered another group-stage masterclass. Mane scored inside 10 minutes after latching onto Serge Gnabry’s brilliant through-ball and chipping an exquisite finish over Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting then shot wide, before making his next effort count with a clinical strike through the legs of the goalkeeper. Mane was denied his second by ter Stegen, who did well to block Jamal Musiala on the rebound.
Former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski thought he’d won a penalty on the stroke of half-time for a foul against Matthijs De Ligt, but the decision was overturned by the VAR. Technology intervened at the other end soon after the restart, with Gnabry having strayed offside before curling a superb strike beyond ter Stegen. Manuel Neuer understudy Sven Ulreich blocked an injury-time effort from substitute Ansu Fati as Barca tried in vain to restore a modicum of pride, before Benjamin Pavard turned in Gnabry's volley to add salt to the wound. Xavi’s side will play Europa League football in the new year, while Bayern - who conclude their hitherto flawless group campaign at home to Inter next week - will be the team no one wants to draw in the Champions League round of 16.
Match stats
- Mane has 10 goals and an assist across his first 19 appearances for Bayern.
- Choupo-Moting has scored five goals in his last four competitive games.
- Bayern are unbeaten in their last 33 Champions League group games (W30, D3) - an ongoing competition record.
- The six-time European champions have won each of their last 12 group games – including all 11 under Nagelsmann - another tournament record.
- Bayern's last six Champions League games against Barcelona have ended in 3-2 (h), 8-2 (n), 3-0 (a), 3-0 (h), 2-0 (h) and 3-0 (a) wins.
- As well as Lewandowski, Barca's Ousmane Dembele (Borussia Dortmund, 50 appearances), Ter Stegen (Gladbach, 127 apps) and Andreas Christensen (Gladbach, 82 apps) are former Bundesliga players.
Teams
Barcelona: Ter Stegen - Bellerin, Kounde (Eric Garcia 67'), Alonso, Balde - De Jong, Busquets (c) (Ferran Torres 58'), Kessie - Dembele (Fati 67'), Lewandowski (Torre 82'), Pedri (Raphina 58')
Unused ubs: Inaki-Pena, Tenas, Pique, Jordi Alba, Gavi
Out: Araujo (groin), Christensen (ankle), Depay (thigh), Roberto (shoulder)
Coach: Xavi
Bayern: Ulreich - Mazraoui (Stanisic 79'), Upamecano (Pavard 63'), de Ligt, Davies - Kimmich (c), Goretzka (Sabitzer 46') - Gnabry, Musiala (Gravenberch 67'), Mane - Choupo-Moting (Müller 63')
Unused subs: Schenk, Coman, Tel
Out: Hernandez (groin), Neuer (shoulder), Sane (thigh), Sarr (knee)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
As it happened!
0 - 3(0 - 2)
Barcelona
FINAL
Bayern
90' +5
vs
FULL TIME
Bayern Munich brush Barcelona aside at the Camp Nou, with goals from Mane, Choupo-Moting and Pavard sending Julian Nagelsmann's side through to the Round of 16 as group winners.
90' +5
vs
PAVARD THREE AND EASY
A shot to the far post is blocked and loops up in the air, all the way to Pavard, who rams in for 3-0. Good night.
90'
vs
TIME ADDED ON
There will be four minutes to add to the 90 in Barcelona.
82'
vs
LEWY AND OUT
Former Bayern great Lewandowski makes his way from the field, head down. Meanwhile, high up in the gods, Bayern's fans are bouncing.
82'
vs
Torre
Lewandowski
81'
vs
CHANCES AT BOTH ENDS
Gnabry thumps a shot from the right into the arms of Ter Stegen. At the other end, Ulreich denies Raphinha, who had handled in the build up.
79'
vs
Josip Stanišić
Noussair Mazraoui
75'
vs
BAYERN STILL HUNGRY
Gnabry and Mane almost combine to tee up a third for the visitors in a two on two situation but the latter's final pas is overhit and the move breaks down.
70'
vs
ANSU FATI ENERGY
Ansu Fati tricks his way through on the left before striking into the side-netting. The home fans enjoyed that moment of skill from the young Barça sub.
68'
vs
MUSIALA MAKES WAY
A quiet game by Musiala's standards. The 19-year-old - who has been replaced by Ryan Gravenberch - had a decent chance to score earlier but he'll be more than happy with his team's overall performance as he watches the rest of this game from the bench.
68'
vs
Ansu Fati
Dembele
67'
vs
Garcia
Kounde
67'
vs
Ryan Gravenberch
Jamal Musiala
65'
vs
KIMMICH MISS
Kimmich has a good, long talk to himself after smashing a harmless effort well wide of the target.
63'
vs
MÜLLER WELCOME
Thomas Müller is clearly not well liked around these parts. The Bayern forward - who has enjoyed some big wins against Barcelona in the past - comes on to shrill whistles echoing around the Camp Nou.
63'
vs
Benjamin Pavard
Dayot Upamecano
63'
vs
Thomas Müller
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
57'
vs
LEWANDOWSKI SHOT
That's the big man's first tonight. It's slightly awkward, close in and he's digging the ball out from his body. His effort is blocked.
58'
vs
Torres
Busquets
58'
vs
Raphina
Pedri
54'
vs
GNABRY DENIED
Gnabry strays inches offside before curling a shot past Ter Stegen. Bayern celebrate, but not for long. Word comes down from above that this goal won't count.
51'
vs
HERE COME BARÇA
Scratch what has just been written. Barcelona break through Dembele. The ball eventually reaches Lewandowski who is denied by a superb Mazraoui challenge. Busquets wafts a shot over the bar moments later.
49'
vs
BAYERN'S GAME
The atmosphere - understandably - has gone flat and this now looks like it might turn into a Bayern waltz. The team from Bavaria, in all white kits tonight, are tricking and toying their way around the Barça box.
46'
vs
GAME (BACK) ON
So, we start the second half immediately after a Bayern swap. Goretzka - who was on a booking and maybe not suitably restrained towards the end of the first half - is replaced by Marcel Sabitzer.
46'
vs
Marcel Sabitzer
Leon Goretzka
45' +1
vs
HALF TIME
Bayern are cruising through to the Round of 16 as group winners as things stand. Goals from Mane and Choupo-Moting and a 2-0 scoreline sum up the visitors' comfortable position at the Camp Nou.
45'
vs
BAYERN CHANCES
In the build up to that VAR/no penalty incident, Bayern missed a couple of sitters for 3-0. Mane, clean through, tried to clip a finish over Ter Stegen but the keeper got something on the ball. Musiala's follow up was blocked by Bellerin. The Bayern forward then had another go but Ter Stegen blocked.
44'
vs
VAR CHECK - NO PEN
The ref has been called to take a look at that De Ligt challenge on Lewandowski. And ... it's no penalty in the end. The ex Bayern man lunged across De Ligt first before going down.
44'
vs
PENALTY BARÇA
De Ligt on Lewandowski.
41'
vs
BUSQUETS YELLOW
Musiala bursts away on the left, until Busquets reefs the Bayern attacker back by his neck/shoulder. Obvious yellow for the Barça midfielder.
41'
vs
Busquets
38'
vs
BAYERN CONCERN?
Goretzka and Upamecano have both had a niggle at Dembele in the past few minutes and both would want to be careful here with yellow cards to each of their names.
36'
vs
MAN IN FORM
Choupo-Moting, eh? That's five goals in his last four games (plus an assist). He's on six goals in total for the season in all competitions.
35'
vs
BAYERN BOOKING
Upamecano is the third Bayern player into the book. Dembele then lashes a wayward cross-shot off target as home coach Xavi looks on in concern.
34'
vs
Dayot Upamecano
31'
vs
CHOUPO-MOTING ON TARGET
And there, indeed, is the second. Bayern flow forward with Gnabry again providing the key assist along the floor for Choupo-Moting. Bayern's in-form forward pushes in slightly from the right, has a look up and drills one through the legs of Ter Stegen and into the corner.
26'
vs
DEMBELE ON THE MOVE
A super run from former Dortmund man Dembele sees the France international race in from the right, go past a couple of Bayern players but then send a pass into an empty space.
24'
vs
GORETZKA SEES YELLOW
Goretzka loses the yellow card lottery with the ref finally cracking down on Bayern's hard-man approach in these past few minutes. The Bayern player goes in on Busquets and the official says enough is enough.
24'
vs
Leon Goretzka
21'
vs
TOUGH TACKLING
A couple of Bayern crunchers - De Ligt on Lewandowski and Mane on Kounde - in quick succession has the home fans whistling their disapproval.
20'
vs
CHOUPO-MOTING SHOT
Choupo-Moting combines well with Musiala, the pair playing a sort of slow-motion one-two before the former slides a finish wide of the far post.
17'
vs
MAZRAOUI BOOKING
Mazraoui obstructs Balde, who was trying to get past on the left. Yellow card for the Bayern man.
16'
vs
Noussair Mazraoui
12'
vs
BAYERN'S SOLID DEFENCE
Barcelona have been looking for a way through since falling behind but to no great effect. Bayern are looking comfortable at the back.
12'
vs
MANE IN NUMBERS
That's goal number ten of the season for Mane, who has three in this competition, five in the Bundesliga, one in the DFB Cup and one in the Supercup.
10'
vs
MAGNIFICENT MANE
Top, top goal from Bayern. Gnabry knocks a superb ball through for Mane to chase. The attacker gets ahead of Bellerin and holds the defender off as he pushes the ball wide of Ter Stegen and applies the finish.
6'
vs
SLOW START
Both teams passing it around without any great incision so far. The home crowd are creating a cracking atmosphere, despite their team's chances of advancing having evaporated before kick off.