IN SPORT.ES
Jeremy Mathieu scored an own goal on his return to Barcelona as Ernesto Valverde’s side won 2-0 against Sporting Lisbon, extending their unbeaten run to 22 games in all competitions.
Paco Alcacer opened the scoring in the second half before Mathieu slid into the wrong net in stoppage time.
Sporting needed to win and hope that Juventus didn’t beat Olympiakos to remain in the Champions League.
But even a win wouldn’t have enough, with Juve winning in Athens.
Instead Mathieu and his teammates will drop into the Europa League in the New Year after finishing third in the group.
Valverde made eight changes for the game, with Barça already guaranteed their place at the top of the group.
Jasper Cillessen, Lucas Digne, Andre Gomes, Aleix Vidal and Paco Alcacer were among those to come into the team, but it was Denis Suarez who most impressed of the second string.
The midfielder set up both the goals.
It was Denis’ corner which was flicked home by Alcacer just before the hour mark and Denis’ cross which was slid beyond Rui Patricio by Mathieu at the end of the game.
Lionel Messi was left on the bench, but came on just after Alcacer’s opener and played a part in the second half.
Sporting’s best chances fell to Bas Dost, but his first was brilliantly saved by Cillessen and his second opening bounced over the bar.
Barca will not hope to get back to winning ways in La Liga after back-to-back draws when they travel to Villarreal on Sunday.