UCL: Arsenal thrash Lens 6-0 as Man United near exit after draw

November 30, 2023 12:36 am

Arsenal scored five goals in the first half to overrun RC Lens 6-0 in their UEFA Champions League (UCL) encounter at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

Six different players — Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, and Jorginho — were the goalscorers as the Gunners maintained their unassailable four-point lead in Group B.

Havetz opened the scoring in the 13th minute with an instinctive strike before Jesus doubled the lead with a sweeping strike from 15 yards.

The free-flowing Gunners made it three in the 23rd minute when Saka scavenged in a rebound, and Martinelli slotted the fourth goal into the bottom corner four minutes later.

Odegaard, the team’s captain, finished expertly from 12 yards to conclude a dominant first-half display. Late in the second half, Jorginho added one more goal from the spot following a handball by Lens’ Abdukodir Khusanov in the 86th minute.

The victory means Mikel Arteta’s men will finish as the group winners, ahead of second-placed PSV Eindhoven, who also secured their place in the knockout phase.

In other matches, Manchester United are on the brink of UCL elimination after surrendering a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at Galatasaray.

Andre Onana, United goalkeeper, had a night to forget between the sticks, enduring an error-strewn performance.

The Red Devils are bottom of Group A with four points from five games. United’s dream to advance into the competition is in the balance as they must defeat Bayern Munich in their final group game and hope the result in the other group match favours them.

Real Madrid, however, needed two late goals to defeat Napoli 4-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu. Inter Milan recovered from a three-goal deficit to snatch a point against Benfica in a match that ended 3-3.

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