Champions League Group B wrap: Schalke edge Lyon for top billing

Schalke clinched top spot in Group B with a 2-1 win at Europa League-bound Benfica, while Hapoel Tel Aviv drew 2-2 at Lyon on Tuesday.

Schalke, who went into Tuesday’s final round one point ahead of Lyon on the group’s table, dodged the possibility of meeting the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Barcelona in the knockout stages.

But Tel Aviv, needing a win to leapfrog Benfica into third place, were cruelly denied by an 88th-minute strike to Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette.

Schalke took the lead in the 20th minute through former Atletico Madrid midfielder Jurado, who finished off a terrific team effort from the Bundesliga outfit.

The hosts burst towards goal on a counter-attack and sent a cross from the left wing into the area.

Fellow Spaniard Raul, whether by design or by accident, met the ball at the edge of the six-yard box but headed backwards into Jurado’s path, who gleefully lofted the ball over Benfica goalkeeper Roberto Jimenez’s head.

Schalke stretched their advantage to 2-0 in the 81st minute through Benedikt Hoewedes, with the defender beating the offside trap and sneaking home a goal from close range.

Benfica’s Brazil defender Luisao kept the game alive with a headed goal in the 87th minute to make it 2-1, but Schalke held on take the three points.

Meanwhile, a goalless first half gave way to a second-half onslaught as Tel Aviv fought to keep their Europe ambitions alive at the Stade de Gerland.

Former Porto forward Lisandro Lopez put Lyon ahead in the 62nd minute, swooping on a rebounded ball and firing a low shot into the net.

But seven minutes later, the Israeli champions had taken a 2-1 lead.

First, Eran Zahavi sliced through Lyon’s defence with a sublime through ball to fellow Israel international Ben Sahar, who swooped into the box to score past Lyon stopper Hugo Lloris in the 63rd minute.

Zahavi then got himself on the scoresheet with a magnificent bicycle kick in the 69th minute, timing his leap to perfection to connect with substitute Salim Tuama’s cross and leave Lloris with no chance.

But Lacazette broke Tel Aviv hearts with a goal two minutes from injury time, latching on to a through ball from Lopez that took an unfortunate deflection off a Tel Aviv defender, leaving Lacazette well clear to race into the area and score the equaliser.

Schalke finish with 13 points at the top of Group B, with Lyon three points behind in second.

Benfica will move to the Europa League with six points, while Tel Aviv exit the tournament with five points from their six fixtures.