Barcelona crash out of Champions League into Europa League

Barcelona have been eliminated from the Champions League after Inter Milan defeated Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday night.

The Serie A side have joined Bayern Munich in qualifying for the Round of 16 from Group C.

Barca’s elimination was confirmed despite the side having two group games remaining. This is their home clash against Bayern this Wednesday ahead of their final group game away in Plzen.

Two goals before half-time sealed Inter’s victory over their Czech opposition at the San Siro. Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Edin Dzeko both found the net to help Inter progress. Dzeko and substitute Romelu Lukaku added further goals in the second period. Even if Barcelona win their final two group games and Inter lose at Bayern, the Italian side’s superior head-to-head record ensures they would still go through.

The backstory

The Nerazzurri defeated Xavi Hernandez’s side 1-0 in matchday three in Milan. Hakan Calhanoglu’s strike before the break settled the game. It was not a game without controversy, with Barca denied a penalty in the closing minutes. This is after Inter defender Denzel Dumfries appeared to handle the ball in the area.

However, Inter were the stronger side over the course of the group stage games with the two cancelling each other out 3-3 at the Camp Nou in matchday four. Robert Lewandowski netted a last-minute equalising header for Barca in a pulsating encounter. The Italian side missed several glorious opportunities to secure victory on the evening.

This is the second successive campaign that Barcelona have been eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage of the competition. The previous season also saw Bayern Munich win the group, with Benfica pipping the Catalan club to second spot – with Barca condemned to the Europa League.