Both Wolfsburg and Gent reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time this year and they would have both been fairly pleased to draw each other in the last 16.
After a 3-2 win away in Belgium in the first leg, Wolfsburg returned home for the returned and secured their quarter-final place by comfortably winning 1-0 at the Volkswagen Arena.
Relive the contest with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Allo allo! Hope you haven't missed the Champions League too much, it's back tonight with the first last-16 second legs - make sense? Good. Here we'll be focussing on Wolfsburg vs. Gent, but if you want to follow the other match between Real Madrid and Roma (2-0) then click here to join my colleague Matt Law.
Right, first things first we had better get the team news from the Volkswagen Arena. Here it is...
WOLFSBURG XI: Casteels, Dante, Knoche, Rodriguez, Draxler, Trasch, Schurrle, Luiz Gustavo, Arnold, Guilavogui, Kruse
Subs: Grun, Schafer, Ascues, Caligiuri, Vieirinha, Henrique, Putaro
Subs: Grun, Schafer, Ascues, Caligiuri, Vieirinha, Henrique, Putaro
For the home side, there are two changes from the first leg in Belgium. Vieirinha and Jung drop out, with Schurrle and Guilavogui coming in. It's the same side that Dieter Hecking named at the Bundesliga at the weeekend apart from Vieirinha swapping out for Trasch.
GENT XI: Sels, Rafinha, Asare, Nielsen, Gershon, Matton, Renato Neto, Kums, Dejaegere, Milicevic, Simon
Subs: Thoelen, Saief, Deaux, Foket, Coulibaly, Depoitre, Wikheim
Subs: Thoelen, Saief, Deaux, Foket, Coulibaly, Depoitre, Wikheim
As for Gent, Hein Vanhaezebrouck has made three changes from the first leg. Out go Mitrovic, Foket and Depoitre and in come Gershon, Matton and Rafinha.
In Gent's most recent match on Friday, Vanhaezebrouck included nine of the XI players out there tonight. Foket and Diedhou are those who have not been included tonight.
So, any real surprises there? The big news for the home team is that both Draxler and Kruse, who scored the visitors' three goals between them in the first leg, have been passed fit. Draxler was doubtful with a knee problem, while Kruse was struggling with his thigh, but both are present tonight.
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© AFP
For Gent, defender Mitrovic is missing with a foot injury tonight. He seemingly hasn't recovered in time.
BE CAUTIOUS: There are six players who will miss the first leg of the quarter-final if they get through tonight. Just the one Wolfsburg player - Caliguiri on the bench - but Gent starters Asare and Kums must be especially careful. The other three visiting players walking the tightrope are subs Depoitre, Foket and Saief.
Hecking: "Draxler can decide matches on his own, as he has shown recently - he is on top form." #UCL pic.twitter.com/4evKjWpD5f — Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 8, 2016
Draxler certainly is the man to look out for in the Wolfsburg side. Some were quite surprised when he switched Bundesliga clubs from Schalke and did not pursue a move abroad or to either Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund, but it looks like a good move for the German youngster as he continues to build his reputation. His two goals in the first leg were both very well taken.
Kruse then added a third and at that time I was proclaiming in my commentary that the tie was over. Gent had offered very little in a match between two sides both making their debuts at this stage of the competition, but the Belgian outfit fought back with two late goals to give themselves a glimmer of hope of going through.
But what have they been up to since the first leg, I hear you ask. Well, Wolfsburg ended February with just one point from their two Bundesliga games against Hertha BSC and Bayern, but since then they have won back-to-back games against Hannover (0-4) and Borussia Monchengladbach (2-1) to climb back up to seventh and within four points of the top four.
Gent did the opposite of bouncing back after defeat in the first leg by losing 5-2 at KV Oostende in a crunch match at the top of the Pro League, but the Buffalos have won one and drawn one since so like Wolfsburg they are unbeaten in two.
STAT: Wolfsburg have won their last three Champions League games, their best ever run in the competition. They have also lost only one of their six Champions League home games and that was against Manchester United in December 2009.
Gent, meanwhile, have scored in all seven of their Champions League games this season. In fact, their last six Champions League games have all been decided by a one-goal margin, with their three away games all ending 2-1 (once in their favour, twice against). Unfortunately, that scoreline would not be enough tonight because of the away-goals rule.
Plenty of visiting support at the Volkswagen Arena tonight
Corteo to the stadium #wolgnt #wobkaa #UCL pic.twitter.com/Yva9IHpqaV
— KAA Gent (@KAAGent) March 8, 2016
Given that there are some ties like Juve-Bayern, Arsenal-Barcelona and Chelsea-PSG in the last 16, anyone that reaches the quarter-finals will be keen to play the winner of tonight's match. Wolfsburg or Gent won't mind that, though, one of them will be in the quarter-finals for the first time ever!
PREDICTION: Okey doke, time for my nailed-on pre-match prediction. Only one of Wolfsburg's 13 games in the Champions League has ended in a draw, so I'm not going for that. The home side should have too much back on their own patch and with Gent needing to push for at least two goals, I think Wolfsburg could enjoy some success on the counter - 3-1 to the hosts.
Here's an interesting stat: Four of Gent's last five Champions League goals have been scored in the final 15 minutes. Conversely, four of the last five goals conceded by Wolfsburg have come in that period. Could be in for some late drama tonight!
Here we go then! The two teams have just exited the tunnel. Wolfsburg in white tonight, while Gent have their high-vis yellow-green kit on.
KICKOFF! Off we go at the Volkswagen Arena. Great atmosphere inside the stadium, with an expectant home support waiting on their team to confirm a first-ever Champions League quarter-final place.
Gent are the first Belgian side to reach this stage of the competition and should they turn it around tonight it would be some achievement.
CHANCE! Gent suffered badly from some lazy passing in the first leg and they've almost shot themselves in the foot again! Kruse intercepts the ball in the middle and finds the run of Schurrle. The former Chelsea man's first touch is good, but Gershon gets back to make a last-ditch sliding tackle.
SHOT! As mentioned before kickoff, Gent usually have no problem scoring and they've just had their first chance of the match. It was a tough angle for Milicevic, but he'll be annoyed not to have worked Casteels.
This time it's Wolfsburg who give the ball away! Rodriguez's sloppy pass is cut out and Kums, last season's Pro League Player of the Year, surges forward before turning past one tackle and then having his shot blocked.
An early Gent goal really would put the cat amongst the pigeons and that's what the visitors need. I highlighted before kickoff that the Belgian side tend to score late, but they must get at their opponents tonight. Remember, they need at least two goals.
CLOSE! Schurrle fizzes in a low cross that Kruse does well to control. He has his back to goal and tries to shoot on the turn, but it drops wide. Sels might have had it covered.
Edin Dzeko has just missed a golden opportunity for Roma at Real Madrid in tonight's other tie. The Italians, like Gent here, must score at least two if they are to stand any chance of going through. Remember, follow that match here if you like.
SHOT! Piiing! Guilavogui with the best effort of the night as he fires at goal from 25 yards out. It's a really good hit, but Sels is equal to it as he springs to his right and pushes it wide.
Now Gent go close at the other end! It's Matton who beats the offside trap down the right. The ball finds its way to Simon down the left and his low cross has to be put behind for a corner by Rodriguez. Good end-to-end start here.
SHOT! Simon has been Gent's liveliest player down their left-hand side and he's just warmed the palms of Casteels with a dipping drive from 20 yards. Well-struck, but too close to the Wolfsburg keeper.
Both teams have now had one shot on target each from distance and that's as close as either side have come. Wolfsburg were the better team in the opening 10 minutes but since then Gent have grown into the match more and more.
Mmmmmm that Bratwurst was good
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© AFP
Decent chance for Wolfsburg to put the ball in from a free kick, but Rodriguez overhits his delivery and the ball runs through to Sels. Gent will be happy if they get deliveries like that all night!
Gent have in fact had 57% of the possession in the match so far. As I said before the match, though, Wolfsburg won't mind that too much as they know that they have some dangerous counter-attacking players.
The home fans are just getting a little frustrated now. Wolfsburg really are offering very little going forward and I think the supporters would have expected more given how dangerous they looked in the first leg.
Better from the hosts as they work the ball to Swiss full-back Rodriguez down the left. His cross is a good one, but no-one hung back for a cross to the penalty spot. More groans from the crowd.
Half time almost upon us and Wolfsburg have a free kick out on the left. One last chance to put it in...
Sels punches the ball clear but also takes out Dante in the process.
HALF-TIME: WOLFSBURG 0-0 GENT
The referee blows his whistle as Dante stays down to receive treatment. No added time and that's that for the first half. Not much in that, with a couple of shots from distance about as close as we got to a goal.
Wolfsburg will be happy enough, though. They still lead the tie 3-2 and Gent still need two goals to have any chance of causing an upset. Hard to see that happening in the second half, which we'll be back for in no time. Stay there!
Alriiiiighty then! Time for the second half. No changes from either manager at the break.
KICKOFF! Back underway at the Volkswagen Arena, with Wolfsburg still leading the tie 3-2. Just 45 minutes separates them becoming a Champions League quarter-finalist for the first time.
Draxler and Gershon battle for the ball in the first half
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© AFP
Decent start to the second period for Gent, who continue to see plenty of the ball here. However, they need to start really going for it and throwing caution to the wind. Nothing to lose.
Kums brings down Arnold in a great position for a Wolfsburg free kick. Rodriguez wants this...
Up and...into the wall :( Gent still in touch.
UPDATE: It's still goalless in tonight's other tie between Real and Roma, in case you were wondering.
Half-chance for Wolfsburg as the ball drops Guztavo's way after a corner and he gets it on target but not through a group of players in the six-yard box.
CHANCE! Gent threatening at the other end as Milicevic sends a diving header over the bar. The first goal is going to be so crucial here.
OFF THE LINE! Best passage of play so far as the ball is switched out to Kruse on the far left. He cuts it back first-time on the volley for Schurrle, whose sidefooter at goal is cleared away by Neto.
Here's the moment Dante went down injured right at the end of the first half. He was OK to carry on.
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© AFP
Dejaegre resorts to desperate tactics as he throws himself to the ground to try to win a free kick on the edge of the box. The ref sees through it, but oddly decides against booking the winger.
GENT SUB: First change of the match and it's for the visitors as Saief replaces Matton.
GENT SUB: And another sub, but this one is more surprising as Gent's best player, Simon, is taken off for Coulibaly, who scored Gent's second in the dying moments of the first leg.
CHANCES! Close at both ends! First Coulibaly fired at Casteels before Schurrle wanted far too much time and had his shot deflected wide.
Dejaegre with a good run down the right for Gent before cutting inside and getting off a shot. He tried to go near post and Casteels was there to watch it wide. Time desperately running out for Gent now.
GOAL! WOLFSBURG 1-0 GENT (ANDRE SCHURRLE)
We have a goal! Draxler does brilliantly down the right to beat his man before crossing low into the six-yard box where Schurrle slots home from six yards.
Gent now need three goals to go through and surely that is tie over. No way are they doing that with around 15 to go.
SAVE! Home side not letting up here. First Kruse's shot is saved by Sels before the striker has a second attempt blocked.
SUBS: Both teams make a change, with Caliguiri - on a booking remember - on for Draxler and Foket on for Rafinha. Draxler had a pretty quiet game, but one piece of real quality wing play saw him set up the opening goal. Wolfsburg will do well to keep hold of him this summer.
SHOT! Gent have, understandably, given up here. Would not be surprised to see Wolfsburg grab another. Trasch has their latest chance, but fires straight at Sels.
WOLFSBURG SUB: Vieirinha on for the final few minutes in place of Arnold.
SHOT! Vieirinha tries his luck from 25 yards, with Sels getting down to make a comfortable save.
Gent threaten a consolation as Coulibaly challenges Casteels in the air, but the ball drops back for the Wolfsburg keeper. Just winding down the clock now.
WOLFSBURG SUB: Standing ovation for the goalscorer as Schurrle is replaced by Schafer.
SHOT! One of Gent's better efforts as Dejaegre fires a yard or so over the top. Three minutes added on by the officials.
FULL-TIME: WOLFSBURG 1-0 GENT
WOLFSBURG WIN 4-2 ON AGGREGATE TO REACH THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS FOR THE FIRST TIME!
Celebrations in the Wolfsburg dugout as they reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 4-2 aggregate win over Gent, who were well beaten over the two legs, you have to say.
Still, it was a big achievement for Gent to reach the last 16. They were the first Belgian side to do so, but their fairytale ends tonight.
Thanks a lot for joining SM for commentary tonight. Be sure to come back tomorrow for more live Champions League action, with Chelsea up against PSG and Benfica taking on Zenit. Should be good!
Written by
Pascal Lemesre
Pascal Lemesre
