Final 16 Set as Liverpool Demolishes Marseille

Thursday, 13 December 2007

Liverpool made it clear which team deserved to advance in the Champions League as they pummeled Marseille on their home turf 4-0 on Tuesday. The win secured Liverpool’s place in the knockout round of the Champions League.

Early goals by Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres gave Liverpool a commanding lead and they added second-half strikes by Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel. Liverpool finished second in Group A behind Porto. The win against Marseille was so dominating by Liverpool that it could have been worse than the 4-0 final. After the defeat, Marseille was able to console themselves since they earn a UEFA Cup spot.

Soccer Betting at SBG Global.

Elsewhere in Champions League action, Sidney Govou's goal and a late second-half double from Karim Benzema gave Olympique Lyonnais a 3-0 victory against Rangers FC as Olympique Lyonnais advanced to the knockout round. Lyon had lost their opening two Group E matches but turned it around and completed the comeback with the win against the Rangers. Fenerbahce SK claimed the last spot in the Final 16 as they defeated PSV Eindhoven.

The draw for the next stage of the Champions League will be on Friday, December 21^st at UEFA headquarters in Nyon. Some big names made the final 16 including nine-time winners Real Madrid, six-time champions AC Milan, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. The round of 16 will begin on February 19^th and 20^th.

Here is a look at the eight winners and the eight runner-ups from each Soccer Betting Group.

Group winners Group runners-up

A FC Porto (POR) Liverpool FC (ENG)

B Chelsea FC (ENG) FC Schalke 04 (GER)

C Real Madrid CF (ESP) Olympiacos CFP (GRE)

D AC Milan (ITA) Celtic FC (SCO)

E FC Barcelona (ESP) Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)

F Manchester United (ENG) AS Roma (ITA)

G FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) Fenerbahçe SK (TUR)

H Sevilla FC (ESP) Arsenal FC (ENG)