Milan see off Auxerre to join Madrid in last 16
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AC Milan reached the European Champions League knockout round with a 2-0 win at Auxerre, while Arsenal's qualification future was left in doubt after they were lost at Braga 2-0 on Tuesday.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who scored twice against Auxerre in September’s Group G opener, netted the first goal in the 64th minute before Ronaldinho added the second during injury time.
The result guaranteed Milan second place in the group as Ajax Amsterdam slumped to a 4-0 defeat against leaders Real Madrid.
Auxerre produced a convincing display in the first half as seven-times champions Milan appeared satisfied to wait for a defensive error from the hosts or a flash of inspiration from Ibrahimovic.
The French club piled on early pressure on to Milan’s defence forcing goalkeeper Christian Abbiati to make several saves.
After the interval, both teams remained well organized and struggled to reached their opponents’ penalty area until Ibrahimovic fired a powerful shot over goalkeeper Oliver Sorin and under the crossbar for his fourth Champions League goal of the season.
From then on, the Italians had the majority of possession and Brazilian striker Ronaldinho sealed victory with a curled shot in extra time, minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Milan have eight points in Group G, four ahead of Ajax in third, with one match to play. Real Madrid top the group on 13 points after beat Ajax 4-0.
Real forged ahead with a goal of genuine quality as a superb long ball forward was flicked back by Mesut Ozil for Karim Benzema to fire high into the net.
And Jose Mourinho's men doubled their lead before the break, with former Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa driving home from range via the aid of a slight deflection.
Cristiano Ronaldo added further gloss to the scoreline, firing home after some miserable play from Ajax gifted possession to the visitors before hitting a fourth from the spot.
The only note of concern for Mourinho was a pair of late red cards, with Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos dismissed for second bookable offences in the closing stages.
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