Champions League: Ronaldo, Sancho fire Manchester United into last 16, Chelsea hammer Juventus to progress

Manchester United sealed the Champions League last 16 berth after Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho scored late goals in a 2-0 victory at Villarreal on Tuesday, while title holders Chelsea also stormed into the knockout phase by hammering Juventus.

Ronaldo, Sancho score in Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Villareal

Cristiano Ronaldo produced a sublime lobbed finish to put United ahead against Villarreal and a 90th-minute strike by Jadon Sancho — his first goal since joining for $100 million in the offseason — sealed a 2-0 win to secure progress as the winner of Group F.

Carrick made a big call in his first game in charge by dropping playmaker Bruno Fernandes in a bid to set up in a more solid fashion and protect a defense that has been overrun this season. It led to a first clean sheet of the group stage.

Ronaldo has scored in all five group games so far, and now has a record-extending 140 Champions League goals in his career.

Atalanta face a winner-takes-all match against Villarreal in Bergamo next month.

Chelsea thump Juventus 4-0

Another English team, defending champion Chelsea, also advanced on the back of a 4-0 win over already-qualified Juventus, which slumped to its heaviest ever loss in the Champions League.

Thomas Tuchel’s men knew that qualification would be secured if they could avoid defeat or if Zenit Saint Petersburg failed to beat Malmo.

With Liverpool also qualified and Manchester City likely to join them, the Premier League will again be well represented in the knockout stage.

Barcelona stutter

Barcelona were held to a goalless draw by Benfica at the Camp Nou in Xavi’s second game as coach, but remain above the Portuguese side in Group E. Barcelona missed a string of chances at the Camp Nou and stayed two points ahead of Benfica.

If Barca fails to beat Bayern away, Benfica could overtake the Spanish club with a win at home to already-eliminated Dynamo Kyiv. If they finish tied on points, Benfica would advance courtesy of their head-to-head record.