English giants Chelsea and Manchester United made hard work of it but ended up coming from behind to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.French champions Bordeaux joined them from Group B after a 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich while Porto booked their ticket after winning 1-0 at APOEL Nicosia of Cyprus in Group D.
However, things look stark for Bayern Munich and Champions League-winning coach Louis van Gaal as the German giants trail second-placed Juventus by four points in Group A with two matches remaining.
Chelsea came from a goal down to draw 2-2 at Atletico Madrid in a Group D match - Didier Drogba scoring both on his return from a three-match European suspension.
"It was a good game but frustrating because we didn't win it," said Drogba. "We have qualified which is great although it would have been nice to do it with a win."
United had to come from even further behind as they trailed 3-1 against CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford before goals from Paul Scholes and a deflected Antonio Valencia effort off the head of Georgy Shchennikov levelled matters.
Manager Alex Ferguson was relieved to have progressed from Group B but was less than happy with the referee's performance, especially over a penalty that was not awarded for a trip on Darren Fletcher - the midfielder being booked instead.
"I can't believe the decision. It's one of the worst I have seen in my lifetime," the Scot fumed.
Wayne Rooney was named on the bench after becoming a father
for the first time as Ferguson started with Michael Owen and Federico Macheda up front.Group C has become wide-open after AC Milan and Real Madrid drew 1-1 in Milan, while Marseille beat FC Zurich 6-1 to stand just a point behind the duo. Karim Benzema scored for Real but Ronaldinho equalized from the penalty spot.
Marseille had wrapped things up shortly after half-time with a 3-1 lead against FC Zurich as they left themselves in with a real chance of making the knockout stages.
Bordeaux qualified after securing a 2-0 victory over Bayern, Yoann Gourcuff netting in the first half and Marouane Chamakh sealing victory late on in the second.
Van Gaal, victorious in the competition with Ajax in 1995, refused to accept that elimination was inevitable.
"We are not gone yet," said the Dutchman.
Bayern's position became even more precarious after Juventus beat Maccabi Haifa 1-0 in Israel, Mauro Camoranesi scoring in the first half.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
