UCL: Bayern demotes Barca to Europa league with a 3-0 win after dominating them home and away

Barcelona lost to Bayern Munich to miss out on a Champions League last-16 place and drop down into the Europa League.

Bayern scored their first when Robert Lewandowski’s cross found Thomas Muller and his header just crossed the line.

The hosts doubled their lead thanks to a superb 30-yard strike from former Manchester City forward Leroy Sane.

Jamal Musiala added a third goal in the second half with a routine finish after a pull-back from Alphonso Davies on an embarrassing evening for Barcelona.

The five-time European champions had reached the Champions League last 16 in every one of the past 17 seasons after they had failed to qualify for the tournament in 2003-04.

Read also: UCL: Barcelona is Capable Of Defeating Bayern Munich – Xavi

Barca needed to match Benfica’s result to advance in this season’s tournament, but the Portuguese side won 2-0 at home to Dynamo Kyiv.

That meant Benfica finished on eight points, with Barcelona, who only scored twice in the entire group stage, on seven points. Bayern won the section with a 100% record.

Barcelona had chances to take the lead when it was goalless but Jordi Alba, who later went off with a hamstring injury, had a shot saved by Manuel Neuer and Ousmane Dembele also wasted a chance by firing over.

This exit continues a miserable campaign for them after financial issues forced them to let club legend Lionel Messi leave on a free transfer and then join Paris St-Germain in the summer.

Since Messi’s departure, Ronald Koeman was sacked as manager in October before former midfielder Xavi returned to the Nou Camp, with Barca currently seventh in La Liga.

The game, in snowy conditions, was played behind closed doors because of a rise in Covid-19 cases in Germany.

Barca will now have to play in the Europa League knockout round play-off.