Monaco have progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League as Group C winners after a 2-0 victory at home to Zenit St Petersburg this evening.
© Getty Images
Although both sides knew that a win would seal progression, the game started in a nervy manner as neither side were willing to take many risks.
The first chance of the match fell the way of Salomon Rondon, but the forward was denied by a brave Wallace block in the 13th minute.
Shortly before the interval, Nicolas Lombaerts nodded a header towards goal but Danijel Subasic collected the effort with ease as a drab first half drew to a close.
The second half saw more chances and Hulk's curling free kick nearly crept in at the far corner, but Subasic was alert to collect it at the last minute.
Dimitar Berbatov then almost saw his deflected strike loop into the back of the net, but after 63 minutes the hosts took the lead.
Aymen Abdennour met Yannick Ferreira Carrasco's deep free kick at the far post with a header that beat Yuri Lodigin.
Andrea Raggi and Anthony Martial almost combined to make it 2-0 late on, but the former's return pass to his teammate was too weak and the visitors were able to clear.
However, with two minutes left Tavares Fabinho succeeded where Raggi failed and lashed the ball into the far corner to ensure that Monaco topped the group.
Kristian Johnson
