Manchester United fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat in Basel that saw them eliminated from the Champions League group stages for only the third time since 1994.
Marco Streller and Alexander Frei hammered the nails into the United coffin, while Phil Jones headed a late consolation for the English champions.
United have reached three of the past four UEFA Champions League finals, and went into this game knowing a win or draw would be enough to advance to the knockout stages.
The Red Devils dominated possession in the early stages and adopted an attacking mentality. The pressure was turned up though when Basel took a 9th minute lead with their first genuine attack.
Xherdan Shaqiri produced a dangerous low cross that was redirected by David de Gea, and Marco Streller was on hand to fire Basel into a 1-0 lead.
The goal lifted Basel, and it was in the 29th minute that United carved out their next scoring chance. Nani sent over a teasing cross that found Rooney at the back post, but the England striker miscued his shot before Park Ji-Sung failed to convert the follow-up.
Rooney was then denied by a good Yann Sommer save, before having a penalty appeal denied.
United suffered a blow just before half-time when Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic was stretchered off with a nasty looking knee injury.
The game settled into a pattern in the second half of United dominating possession, with Basel continuing to threaten with dangerous counter-attacks.
Shaqiri curled a shot just wide for Basel, while Rooney fired wide at the other end with United’s best chance. Alexander Frei then had a free kick saved by De Gea, before delivering the killer blow to United.
Swiss playmaker Shaqiri crossed into the area, and Frei beat Chris Smalling to score the goal that ultimately qualified Basel for the Champions League knockout stages for only the second time ever.
Phil Jones headed home after being set up by Danny Welbeck to set up a frantic finale, but Federico Macheda hit the woodwork as United failed to keep their hopes of staying in the competition alive.
Basel have now qualified as Group C runners up behind Benfica, while United must now settle for a place in the UEFA Europa League along with rivals Manchester City.
LINEUPS
BAS – Sommer, Joo-ho Park, Dragovic, Shaqiri (Stocker 90+2), Abraham, F Frei, Cabral, Steinhofer, Streller, A Frei (Kusunga 87), Xhaka (Chipperfield 82).
MAN – De Gea, Evra, Jones, Ferdinand, Smalling, Vidic (Evans 44), Giggs, Park Ji-Sung (Macheda 82), Nani, Young (Welbeck 64), Rooney.
SCORING SUMMARY
BAS – Marco Sreller (Xherdan Shaqiri) 9’
BAS – Alexander Frei (Xherdan Shaqiri) 84’
MAN – Phil Jones (Danny Welbeck) 89’
LiveSoccerTV Man of the Match: Xherdan Shaqiri (FC Basel)
Attendance: 36,894
United have reached three of the past four UEFA Champions League finals, and went into this game knowing a win or draw would be enough to advance to the knockout stages.
The Red Devils dominated possession in the early stages and adopted an attacking mentality. The pressure was turned up though when Basel took a 9th minute lead with their first genuine attack.
Xherdan Shaqiri produced a dangerous low cross that was redirected by David de Gea, and Marco Streller was on hand to fire Basel into a 1-0 lead.
The goal lifted Basel, and it was in the 29th minute that United carved out their next scoring chance. Nani sent over a teasing cross that found Rooney at the back post, but the England striker miscued his shot before Park Ji-Sung failed to convert the follow-up.
Rooney was then denied by a good Yann Sommer save, before having a penalty appeal denied.
United suffered a blow just before half-time when Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic was stretchered off with a nasty looking knee injury.
The game settled into a pattern in the second half of United dominating possession, with Basel continuing to threaten with dangerous counter-attacks.
Shaqiri curled a shot just wide for Basel, while Rooney fired wide at the other end with United’s best chance. Alexander Frei then had a free kick saved by De Gea, before delivering the killer blow to United.
Swiss playmaker Shaqiri crossed into the area, and Frei beat Chris Smalling to score the goal that ultimately qualified Basel for the Champions League knockout stages for only the second time ever.
Phil Jones headed home after being set up by Danny Welbeck to set up a frantic finale, but Federico Macheda hit the woodwork as United failed to keep their hopes of staying in the competition alive.
Basel have now qualified as Group C runners up behind Benfica, while United must now settle for a place in the UEFA Europa League along with rivals Manchester City.
LINEUPS
BAS – Sommer, Joo-ho Park, Dragovic, Shaqiri (Stocker 90+2), Abraham, F Frei, Cabral, Steinhofer, Streller, A Frei (Kusunga 87), Xhaka (Chipperfield 82).
MAN – De Gea, Evra, Jones, Ferdinand, Smalling, Vidic (Evans 44), Giggs, Park Ji-Sung (Macheda 82), Nani, Young (Welbeck 64), Rooney.
SCORING SUMMARY
BAS – Marco Sreller (Xherdan Shaqiri) 9’
BAS – Alexander Frei (Xherdan Shaqiri) 84’
MAN – Phil Jones (Danny Welbeck) 89’
LiveSoccerTV Man of the Match: Xherdan Shaqiri (FC Basel)
Attendance: 36,894
