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Napoli logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Dec 11, 2013 at 7.45pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

2-0

Higuain (73'), Callejon (90')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Napoli knocked out of competition despite win over Arsenal

Napoli beat Arsenal 2-0 but still miss out on qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Despite recording a 2-0 win over Arsenal, Napoli have failed to book their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Napoli started brightly in front of their own supporters, with Goran Pandev forcing Wojciech Szczesny to make an early save from a low shot.

Arsenal looked to frustrate the hosts but they still managed to threaten when they broke forward, and Olivier Giroud was denied a goal when his powerful effort was blocked by Rafael Cabral.

Referee Viktor Kassai shows the red card to Mikel Arteta of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between SSC Napoli and Arsenal on December 11, 2013© Getty Images

Napoli had two good chances to break the deadlock before the break but Jose Callejon curled a shot over from the edge of the box and Christian Maggio failed to hit the target under pressure from Szczesny late in the first half.

Rafael Benitez's side took control of the match in the second half as they looked for the goal which might secure them qualification.

Gonzalo Higuain had a great opportunity to put his side ahead when he collected the ball in the box but he fired a shot over from a tight angle.

Napoli's Argentinian forward Gonzalo Higuain celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champion's League group F football match against Arsenal FC on December 11, 2013© Getty Images

However, the former Real Madrid forward made up for his mistake in the 73rd minute as he earned himself some space in the box before drilling the opening goal past a helpless Szczesny.

Napoli were handed a further boost in the closing stages when Mikel Arteta was sent off for a second bookable offence

It looked like the Italian club had secured their spot in the knockout stages but a late winner for Borussia Dortmund in their game against Marseille earned qualification for the Germans.

There was still time for Callejon to score a second in stoppage time, but Napoli missed out on progressing as Dortmund claimed top spot and Arsenal finished second in Group F.

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Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger and Napoli's Spanish coach Rafael Benitez look on during the UEFA Champions League group F football match between their sides on December 11, 2013
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Group A

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QCopenhagen62228
3Galatasaray61235
4Man Utd61144

Group B

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QArsenal641113
QPSV62319
3Lens62228
4Sevilla60242

Group C

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QReal Madrid660018
QNapoli631210
3Braga61144
4Union Berlin60242

Group D

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QReal Sociedad633012
QInter Milan633012
3Benfica61144
4Salzburg61144

Group E

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QAtletico642014
QLazio631210
3Feyenoord62046
4Celtic61144

Group F

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QDortmund632111
QPSG62228
3AC Milan62228
4Newcastle61235

Group G

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QRB Leipzig640212
3Young Boys61144
4Red Star60151

Group H

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QBarcelona640212
QPorto640212
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4Antwerp61053


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