Napoli fell just a goal short of qualifying for the Champions League knockout phase at Arsenal’s expense in what turned into a dramatic final night in a group that fully lived up to its billing as the Group of Death.
When Gonzalo Higuain put Napoli in front with 17 minutes the San Paolo crowd was rocking, as with Borussia Dortmund only drawing in Marseille, the Italian side were heading back to Europe’s last 16. But with Dortmund going in front late on, suddenly Napoli needed to score twice in the final two minutes to progress and send Arsenal out. After the visitors had been reduced to 10 men following a second booking for Mikel Arteta, a goal with what was almost the final kick of the game from Jose Callejon was too little too late.
Emphasizing the cruelness of Napoli’s fate, they become the first side in the history of the Champions League to fail to make it out of a group with 12 points. Rafael Benitez’s side will now have to make do with the scant consolation of a place in the Europa League.
For Arsenal, although they avoided the worst case scenario, Arsene Wenger will be less than happy on the flight home from Naples. The defeat means Arsenal, after having done so well through the trickiest of groups finish in second place and will now face an unenviable tie against Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain in the next round.
More to follow.
All Goals - Napoli 2-0 Arsenal - 11-12-2013... by video4all
VIDEO Napoli 2-0 Arsenal: Highlights; Higuain And Callejon Goals Not Enough As Partenopei Cruelly Crash Out In Dramatic Finale
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