Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

Bayern Munich vs Barcelona LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction tonight

Follow all the latest updates from the Champions League match at the Allianz Arena as Bayern chase a perfect group record and Xavi tries to salvage Barca’s campaign

Sarah Rendell
Wednesday 08 December 2021 22:12 GMT
Comments
(REUTERS)

Barcelona find new levels of humiliation. This Champions League elimination wasn’t an 8-2 or one of those collapses, but it was a first group-stage elimination since 2001.

Far from a vision of how to play the game, they are the ultimate image of an empire that has crumbled. You could say this 3-0 win was another illustration of Bayern Munich’s own power as they secured a 100% record from the group, but they didn’t have to reach such heights. It was all so easy for the German champions, as they seemed to get through Barcelona with every single attack.

Almost the worst thing about it was how it never felt like they had any chance at all. That was even before Benfica basically ended any tension on the evening by going ahead against Dynamo Kyiv before the 20th minute of the other match.

This defeat, and elimination, was of course down to so much more than what actually happened on the night. There were the ghosts of many bad Barca defeats to Bayern within it, after all.

It is the latest consequence of a long decline, and a series of bad decisions taken at every turn.

Bayern Munich 0-0 Barcelona

21 mins: Davies cleared well to stall a Barca attack and I’m wondering if messages are being fed to players about the Benfica match as the Spanish side have come alive in the last few minutes.

Dembele had a shot but skies the attempt. You have to give it to Barca that they are putting it all on the line.

Sarah Rendell8 December 2021 20:22

Bayern Munich 0-0 Barcelona

18 mins: It’s a brutal match out there tonight as we’re in the early stages and we’ve had another booking!

Araujo has a yellow for a foul with some saying he was lucky not to have a red. Another free kick given to Bayern on the edge of the box with Sane the taker. The set-piece goes to nothing.

Bad news for Barca though as Benfica have scored in their 8pm kick-off! Yaremchuk the scorer and as it stands Barca are out of the Champions League!

Table as it stands:

1. Bayern 16

2. Benfica 8

3. Barcelona 8

4. Kyiv 1

(Benfica 2nd on head to head)

Sarah Rendell8 December 2021 20:19

Bayern Munich 0-0 Barcelona

15 mins: Gavi will have to be careful after he gifts the ball to Bayern again from a foul.

Barca managed to muscle the ball back and Dembele sets up another great chance with a corner.

Depay took the corner short but the attack ended in F. De Jong being ruled offside.

Sarah Rendell8 December 2021 20:16

Bayern Munich 0-0 Barcelona

11 mins: Jeez that was close! Dembele made a great run down the left side but his cross in couldn’t find a teammate.

Just as Barca were building Gavi gave away a scorable free kick. Tolisso almost got a foot to the cross in and Bayern won a corner.

Coman took the set-piece but it was well defended by the visitors.

Sarah Rendell8 December 2021 20:12

Bayern Munich 0-0 Barcelona

7 mins: Chance! Depay got a good ball in the box with it coming into Alba’s path.

He struck the ball with Neuer needed to make a save. Good glimpse of what Barca can do but the passing errors need to be eradicated from their game if they want the three points here.

Sarah Rendell8 December 2021 20:08

Bayern Munich 0-0 Barcelona

5 mins: Sloppy play in the opening few minutes as both sides lose possession and the ball exchanges hands quickly.

Busquets is booked for a challenge of Lewandowski after a poor pass from Ter Stegen. Bayern won a free kick from the foul on the edge of the box. Sane took the kick with the ball smacking Busquets in the head.

Early let-off for Barca!

It also has to be said how strange it is to be without fans once again. All that can be heard are the calls from players and managers in a freezing Allianz Arena.

Sarah Rendell8 December 2021 20:06

Bayern Munich 0-0 Barcelona

We are underway at the Allianz Arena.

Nagelsmann hasn’t held back with his team selection despite already qualifying for the next round.

It’s a tough task but Barcelona will battle for the qualification here.

Sarah Rendell8 December 2021 20:01

Bayern Munich vs Barcelona

Joe Cole doesn’t have much hope in Barcelona as he says on BT Sport there’s “no way” Xavi’s side will beat Bayern Munich.

Peter Crouch added to the doubts saying he “fears” for Barca.

If they don’t win the Spanish side will be out in the group stage for the first time since 2000/01 season!

Just over five minutes until kick-off...

Sarah Rendell8 December 2021 19:54

Bayern Munich vs Barcelona

Here’s a reminder of tonight’s teams who will take to the field in Germany.

Bayern: Neuer, Upamecano, Sule, Pavard, Lewandowski, Sane, Coman, Davies, Tolisso, Muller, Musiala

Barca: Ter Stegen, Dest, Pique, R. Araujo, Sergio, O. Dembele, Depay, Lenglet, Alba, F. De Jong, Gavi

(Getty Images)
Sarah Rendell8 December 2021 19:49

Bayern Munich vs Barcelona

Well, well, well Barca may take some hope from Chelsea’s result tonight. The defending champions have been dealt a slight upset.

Zenit have managed to finish the game 3-3 and with Juventus holding onto their victory the defending champions have slipped to second in the table. This means Chelsea may have to face Bayern Munich and they definitely will be playing a group leader in the round of 16.

Just 20 minutes to see how this one turns out and head over to the Chelsea live to reaction from that match.

Zenit vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Champions League updates

Follow all the action from St Petersburg as the group stage comes to a close

Sarah Rendell8 December 2021 19:42

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in