
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
-
GoldBod signs GH¢8.4m agreement with Ghana Water to rehabilitate three water supply systems
2 minutes -
20 young leaders graduate from GSTEP Youth Steering Group
4 minutes -
Alleged robber mistakenly shot by accomplice hauled before court
11 minutes -
Sulemana Braimah questions EOCO’s handling of Dennis Miracles’ arrest
18 minutes -
FIFA World Cup: France vs Spain preview
20 minutes -
Re|Root calls for proactive investment in sanitation to tackle flooding and waste crisis
29 minutes -
Toxic Milk: How e-waste pollution at Agbogbloshie is contaminating Ghana’s food chain
45 minutes -
Filth chokes Korle drains as residents appeal for urgent action
1 hour -
Networking is key to success in voice-over business – Ball J
2 hours -
A happy wife makes a happy home
2 hours -
I remained loyal to the NPP despite my suspension – Paul Afoko
2 hours -
Woman arrested for allegedly murdering husband after misunderstanding
2 hours -
Remove ‘justified sureties’ requirement – Martin Kpebu calls for bail reforms
2 hours -
PPE failures left NHS staff poorly protected and wasted £10bn, Covid inquiry finds
2 hours -
If he wanted to flee, he wouldn’t have returned to Ghana – Kpebu on Miracles Aboagye’s GH¢50m bail
2 hours