Borussia Dortmund left it late against Marseille in France, but a winner from Kevin Grosskreutz put them into the second round of the Champions League as Group F winners.
Dortmund got off to the perfect start as Robert Lewandowski clipped over Steve Mandanda to score inside four minutes, but Marseille levelled 10 minutes later with a goal from Souleymane Diawara.
The German side missed chance after chance before Grosskreutz finally settled the game with just three minutes remaining.
Read how the drama unfolded with our live text commentary below.
Hello everyone! It's the final matchday from the group stage of the Champions League. I'm here with Marseille vs. Dortmund in Group F, which has still not yet been decided.
The other game in the group is in Naples as Napoli host Arsenal. The Gunners lead the group currently with 12 points but are not even guaranteed a place in the second round - yet. There are plenty of ways this can go and I will do my best to keep the permutations up to date as the games go on. Simply: Arsenal are through if they get a point. Between Dortmund and Napoli it is a little more complicated...
Dortmund will remain above Napoli if they match or better their result. If Napoli better Dortmund's result, then they go through instead and Dortmund will be out. Should Napoli thrash Arsenal by three goals or more then they will go above the Gunners. In that case, should Dortmund win they will go through as long as Napoli's win isn't 4-3, 5-4, etc. Phew.
So how have we got to this point? Well, the three strong sides in the group have all decided to beat each other as well as hammer whipping boys Marseille. Going into the final day, each of the three teams have things in their own hands - although Napoli's task is greatest as they need a three-goal win.
While they are currently separated by Dortmund's better head-to-head record against Napoli - by one goal - a win for both Napoli and Dortmund will really complicate things, as the three teams are all then compared. The three-goals win Napoli need against Arsenal is in order to overturn the minus-three goal difference they currently have - Arsenal's plus-two would become minus-one, while Napoli's would be zero.
Still with me? Assuming that happens, which is unlikely to begin with, then Dortmund would be through with a better plus-one goal difference. With a one-goal defeat to Napoli, Arsenal are level with Dortmund, which then means that anything of 4-3 or above would see Napoli through, but a low-scoring one-goal defeat - under 4-3 would see Dortmund pip Napoli.
Still with me? Assuming that happens, which is unlikely to begin with, then Dortmund would be through with a better plus-one goal difference. With a one-goal defeat to Napoli, Arsenal are level with Dortmund, which then means that anything of 4-3 or above would see Napoli through, but a low-scoring one-goal defeat - under 4-3 would see Dortmund pip Napoli.
Here's hoping for a straightforward outcome... Anyway, back to Marseille and I have the team news to bring you.
MARSEILLE XI: Mandanda; Fanni, Diawara, Mendes, Mendy; Lemina, Cheyrou; Khalifa, Thauvin, Payet; Gignac
Marseille bench: Samba, Abdallah, Morel, Aloe, Imbula, J Ayew, Bangoura
DORTMUND XI: Weidenfeller; Grosskreutz, Sarr, Sokratis, Durm; Sahin, Kehl; Blaszczykowski, Mkhitaryan, Reus; Lewandowski
Dortmund bench: Langerak, Kirch, Piszczek, Gunter, Hofmann, Aubameyang, Schieber
So it's a full-strengh (of the available players) side from Jurgen Klopp. Lukasz Piszczek is on the bench, which means that Erik Durm carries on at left-back, but elsewhere it's very strong. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is preferred, as he often is, off the bench in case a goal is needed against tired legs.
Despite their points total, this shouldn't be a pushover of a Marseille side either. There are some dangerous players in attack to trouble what is a much-weakened Dortmund defence. Marian Sarr will need to be alert to keep out Andre-Pierre Gignac. Dimitri Payet will be sure to run at the young full-back Durm. Marseille want to go out with pride and this is dangerous for the Germans.
Klopp will certainly want his side to do most of the probing tonight. His attack is much more experienced than his defence, so he will be encouraging his players to take the initiative. Nuri Sahin and the tough-tackling Sebastian Kehl are key to their performance tonight.
They will be matched up against Mario Lemina and Benoit Cheyrou - a similar type of duo. The young Gabonese player is very tidy on the ball, like Sahin, and will have Cheyrou to provide some grit and protection. Lemina has only played once in the league so far this season, and will be something of a surprise for the Dortmund players.
Marseille's caretaker manager Jose Anigo is confident that his side can have a say in the final standings. He has acknowledged the way that Dortmund play, but has backed his players to win.
"Against Borussia, who are a benchmark in terms of beautiful football, we'll do all we can to have an influence in this group," he said beforehand.
"Our fans won't be coming to the ground to see their side lose or to put on a poor showing. We want to turn in a promising performance; it would be great to end the competition on a positive note."
Despite Anigo's confidence, his side are huge underdogs tonight. The bookies are counting on Klopp's side to produce a professional display tonight and the best you will find for an away win is 2/5. Marseille, at around 7/1, could well be a profitable bet if you fancy it.
PREDICTION: I, however, will go for the draw tonight. I just think the Dortmund defence will be breached a couple of times and they will concede. I think it might be 1-1, but can see an away win. Marseille shouldn't be good enough to win, but you just never know - look at Bayern Munich against Manchester City last night!
That draw that I have predicted, of course, may not be enough for Dortmund to go through. If Napoli cannot better it then it will be, but.... I'm not getting back into that until I have to. With five minutes to go until kickoff, here's a reminder that you can follow updates from the other game - Napoli vs. Arsenal - right here with us too. Indeed, we have all eight covered, so take your pick. As long as you stick with me.
Here's the Champions League theme, the last time it will be played here this season. We're almost ready to get underway.
KICKOFF: The hosts get us underway. For Dortmund it's simple at the moment: a win, any win, will do.
Dortmund are seeing plenty of the ball early on. Lewandowski moves into the right channel and looks into the box to find Reus at the far post, but Mandanda is out well to read the cross and gather the ball.
GOAL! Marseille 0-1 Dortmund (Robert Lewandowski)
Superb strength from Lewandowski there. He latches on to a ball over the top from Durm, muscles Mendes off the ball and then clips it over Mandanda with his weaker foot. A really good finish and Dortmund have one big foot in the last 16.
Mendes, incidentally, is down and receiving treatment on his face after that. He was trying to keep up with the Pole and ended up clattering into his own keeper. That will hurt a lot, but maybe not as much as conceding so early on.
Marseille just haven't been able to get into the game at the moment. The Lewandowski goal has been the only chance so far, with the rest of the game being both sides trying to gather the ball in the midfield. Gignac wins a header but his nod-down goes to no-one - he didn't have a teammate in support.
Corner for Dortmund, but it's cleared by Diawara who got up above Kehl. The visitors are doing all the passing, with Kehl and Sahin bossing the midfield at the moment.
GOAL! Marseille 1-1 Dortmund (Diawara)
Weidenfeller really should do better! A free kick is swung in from the left. He's beaten in the air to his punch and although the initial header from Khalifa comes down off the bar, Diawara nods it in on the line. We're level.
We are really well poised now. The first two chances of the game have both gone in and now the home crowd are in brilliant voice. In the other game it's still 0-0, so as it stands the point is enough for Dortmund. Plenty of time for that to change.
Marseille are much improved now after their slow start. Another free kick is this time claimed by Weidenfeller - that appears to be their biggest threat tonight, up against a bit of a shaky back line.
Dortmund haven't quite found their attacking rhythm so far. Mkhitaryan drifts across to the right but his pass in the direction of Lewandowski is massively overhit.
Brilliant cross from Grosskreutz! He charges down the right and whips it in to the far post but it was just ahead of Lewandowski and Marseille break. From it Mendy crosses to Gignac, but the striker misses the ball when he should have done better.
Dortmund are back on top now, but only slightly. Much of their good play is coming through Grosskreutz down the right, but this time his cross is comfortable for the Marseille keeper.
Good play again from the visitors. Kuba finds Lewandowski in the right channel and he crosses low to Reus, but he cannot keep his shot down and it goes over the bar.
BOOKING: Payet goes in on Kuba and sends him sprawling. He will miss their next European game - that might be next season, but they are at risk of not qualifying.
RED CARD! Payet immediately picks up his second yellow card and this time it's for a dive. I must admit it did look like one - he went down like a swan being tripped. What an appalling decision when you've just been booked.
Klopp at least will be relieved by that red card. Payet's stupidity means that Dortmund now attack 10 men for more than a half. Grosskreutz crosses again, but Mandanda stops it down low before it can reach Reus at the far post.
Marseille are now sitting right back, inviting Dortmund to attack but then moving in to win it back. It might well make it harder for Klopp's side to create chances.
There is little urgency about Dortmund at the moment. Of course, with it still being 0-0 in Naples they are through as it stands, but would rather get the win that would mean that it does not matter what happens in the other game.
Close there for Lewandowski, who collects a Durm pass before dragging it back into space, but it's cleared before he was able to shoot. Very similar attempt that to the goal he scored against Real Madrid. It does not look like there will be another goal before the break.
There will be four minutes added on at the end of the half. Mendes's injury and Payet's red card, presumably, but it still feels a lot.
Marseille are finishing the half with a bit of possession, but they cannot translate it into chances. Kuba pinches the ball and looks for Reus on the break, but Diawara is across well to stop the cross and concede a corner.
HALF-TIME: Marseille 1-1 Dortmund
It's level in South France, and that's about fair so far. Dortmund started well, but Marseille came into it before Payet got himself sent off for a ludicrous attempt at a dive. Dortmund should press on to win the second half.
Really there have been few chances in this one, with Dortmund just about edging the better of them. They just haven't quite done enough since their goal to press on. An update from the other game in the group - it's 0-0. As it stands: Arsenal win the group, Dortmund go through as runners-up and Napoli go into the Europa League. Plenty of time for that to change, though, and I expect it to.
I wouldn't expect anything to change at the break in terms of personnel. Before too long, however, Aubameyang could well be unleashed against what will be a tiring Marseille defence. He's the perfect sub against 10 men, I'd say.
In terms of the statistics, Dortmund are on top. They have 59% of possession, eight shots to four, five on target to three, and three corners to none. Even so, they have not created enough to be leading. For a recap of the first half, our report is right here.
We're back underway for the second half. Kassim Abdallah is on at the break for Mendes. The man going off, remember, took a nasty blow to his nose in the first half.
Early chance there for Dortmund, as the new man Abdallah did not get to grips with the offside trap. Mkhitaryan broke down the right but he cross was just behind Lewandowski and Marseille survived.
A bit of a scramble on the box there. First it's Mkhitaryan who can't get it out of his feet for a shot before Durm just loses out in a 50-50 with Thauvin as he arrived in the box for a shot. Marseille's defending is getting a little last-ditch.
Superb ball threaded through the defence by Kehl to Mkhitaryan, but Mendy races across to slide in at the last moment as the forward shot. From the corner it's hacked clear again - surely it's only a matter of time before Dortmund score again. Another shot is blocked into the air and Mandanda this time comes out to gather. It's one-way at the moment.
MARSEILLE SUB: Jeremy Morel is on for Saber Khalifa. The latter is not making way quickly - has the time-wasting started already?
CLOSE! Durm, not as attacking as Grosskreutz, drives to the byline but Fanni does well to keep up with him and pressure the youngster enough for his cross to go behind. Then on the next attack Mkhitaryan clips to the far post after some delightful skill from Lewandowski, where Kuba's shot is headed at Mandanda on the line. Then, incredibly, Reus strikes a post from inside the box - the keeper was beaten by some way.
Every Marseille player is in his own final third at the moment. They want to hang on to this point with all they have. Dortmund continue to probe and press, with Gignac even almost back in his own area.
Still no goals in Naples. Interestingly we're on for two draws in a group that up to now has not had one. Mandanda comes out to make a big claim from a powerful right-wing cross by Kuba - he's becoming ever more influential.
MISS! Final change for the hosts with Brice Samba coming on for Cheyrou. Back on the pitch Lewandowski is on to a backpass, rounds Mandanda but puts it into the near side netting! He has to score!
MISS! Unbelievable! Reus has an equally good chance there as it is put on a plate for him on the right wing, but he puts his shot from eight yards over the bar! Mandanda made himself big, but my word he has to score.
BOOKING: Gignac, probably frustrated with his role this half, goes into the book for tugging and tripping Reus. This really is starting to look like it won't happen for Dortmund. All that's needed is a Napoli goal...
UPDATE! I've gone and jinxed it now haven't I? Napoli lead against Arsenal - suddenly Dortmund are out of the Champions League if things stay as they are. Gonzalo Higuain with the goal.
The news has filtered through to the Dortmund fans and they are urging their team on with some extra noise. Klopp is looking increasingly frustrated - the Napoli goal won't help.
DORTMUND SUBS: Double change for the visitors, as Piszczek is on for Kehl and Schieber for Reus. That will be two up top now as Dortmund desperately go for a goal.
MARSEILLE SUB: Gianelli Imbula comes on for the hosts, with Thauvin making way.
They haven't created any real chances since that glorious one for Reus about 10 minutes ago. They are, however, still camped in the Marseille half. They will always be capable of creating another chance - can they do it once more?
Corner here, but the belief seems to have gone out of Dortmund at the moment. Another huge header clears the ball and it's becoming a little route one now for the Germans.
Lewandowski things he has won a penalty and that is! Mandanda is second to the ball and clatters the Pole standing up, but the referee says no! Awful decision, and Dortmund's luck is right out.
GOAL! Marseille 1-2 Dortmund (Kevin Grosskreutz)
The Dortmund lad has done it! The ball falls to Schieber and he lays it back to Grosskreutz. Running on to the ball, the right-back slips but manages to guide his effort into the bottom corner. Mandanda might have done better but right now Dortmund are through.
What's more, with Napoli beating Arsenal they are going through as group winners too! What an end to Group F - three teams are on 12 points. Two goals from Napoli would change it, although that's unlikely.
We are into the first of four minutes to be added on here. Is there time for more drama?
BOOKING: Good yellow card from Sarr there, who brings down the Imbula as he drove through the middle.
It's all glances at watches now as Marseille spurn a late chance, with Gignac unable to control the ball.
FULL-TIME: Marseille 1-2 Borussia Dortmund
So Dortmund leave it late but qualify for the second round. As group winners too, leaving Arsenal to battle on of the other top sides. Thanks for joining me here - I'll be back in about half an hour with the analysis, but in the mean time stick around for all the reaction and reports. Goodbye.
Written by
Matt Domm
Matt Domm
