Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic blasted a hat-trick as last year's beaten finalists Atletico Madrid booked their place in the knock-out rounds of the Champions League with a 4-0 win over Olympiakos on Wednesday. Juventus are in pole position to join the Spanish champions in qualifying from Group A after goals from Spaniard Fernando Llorente and Argentina's Carlos Tevez gave them a 2-0 win at Malmo, who are eliminated.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone warned his players against getting complacent ahead of the final match "We know it will still be very difficult," he said. "No one would have thought we would be in this position (after losing their first game) and thanks to the effort of the players we have won four games in a row and can win the group." Olympiakos can still qualify in second place but must beat Malmo at home in two weeks time and hope Juve lose to Atletico in Italy.
Raul Garcia opened the scoring for Atletico before Mandzukic took over but the Spaniards still need a draw against Juve in Turin in two weeks - or a defeat by no more than one goal - to finish top of Group A. Arsenal, who had lost their two previous matches in the league to Swansea and Manchester United, were another side to secure a last 16 berth as Yaya Sanogo scored his first goal for the club. His strike, just two minutes in, followed by a second-half goal from Alexis Sanchez, helped the north Londoners to a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates, although the Germans still lead Group D by two points.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2014

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