Audio By Carbonatix
Five-time European champions Barcelona lost to Bayern Munich to miss out on the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time in 17 years.
Barca have not been absent from the last 16 since 2003-04, when they did not qualify for the competition at all.
This exit continues a miserable campaign for the Spanish giants after financial issues forced them to let club legend Lionel Messi leave on a free transfer and then join Paris St-Germain in the summer.
Barca needed to match Benfica's result to advance, but the Portuguese side won 2-0 at home to Dynamo Kyiv, leaving Xavi's men third and facing a Europa League knockout round play-off.
The game, played in snowy conditions and without fans because of a rise in Covid-19 cases in Germany, had got away from the visitors by half-time.
Bayern scored their first when Robert Lewandowski's cross found Thomas Muller and his header just crossed the line, before they doubled their lead thanks to a superb 30-yard strike from former Manchester City forward Leroy Sane.
Jamal Musiala added a third goal in the second half with a routine finish after a pull-back from Alphonso Davies.
Barcelona had chances to take the lead when it was goalless but Jordi Alba, who later went off with a hamstring injury, had a shot saved by Manuel Neuer and Ousmane Dembele also wasted a chance by firing over.
Bayern advance as group winners with a 100% record. Benfica finished on eight points, with Barcelona, who only scored twice in the entire group stage, on seven points.
The draw for the Europa League takes place on Monday at 12:00 GMT in Nyon, Switzerland and Barca will play one of the Europa League group runners-up, with Rangers one of their potential opponents.
Latest Stories
-
No increase in academic facility fees; Telecel data levy now optional – University of Ghana clarifies
10 minutes -
Deloitte Tax Webinar: Independent Tax Appeals Board urges taxpayers to refile appeals for fair dispute resolution
10 minutes -
GIISDEC to implement policy to formalise scrap dealing business
18 minutes -
NAIMOS disrupts nighttime illegal mining operations along the Ankobrah River
41 minutes -
Health Ministry adopts population-based pharmacy licensing to boost universal healthcare
43 minutes -
Ghana Publishing says recent turnaround due to current administration, not former MD
44 minutes -
We voted, now we need water and roads – Bono East residents to government
46 minutes -
Vice President lauds Local Government Ministry for driving decentralisation reforms
47 minutes -
Spatial Planning Authority proposes 90-day emergency pilot to break Accra’s gridlock
52 minutes -
WAFCON 2026: Black Queens in Group D, face Cameroon, Mali and Cape Verde
1 hour -
NCCE urges public to prioritise importance of paying tax for development Â
1 hour -
Widespread delays hit Uganda election amid internet shutdown
1 hour -
Fear grips Akoti health centre staff after armed men storm facility
1 hour -
Astronauts splash down to Earth after medical evacuation from space station
1 hour -
Solutions gather dust: Spatial planner laments idle €2.4M transport blueprints amid Accra’s gridlock
1 hour
