BERLIN : The controversial VAR decision to rule out Harry Kane's stoppage-time winner against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday prevented Tottenham Hotspur from progressing into the Champions League knockout stage as Group D winners with a match to spare.Instead Antonio Conte's team now go into a final "matchday" with all four teams in the group, including Eintracht Frankfurt and Marseille, still in the running for a last 16 spot.
While Group D is the tightest, there are still several other issues to be settled next Tuesday and Wednesday, with 12 teams through to the next round but only three guaranteed top spot.If two or more clubs are level on points at the end of the group stage, a number of criteria will be taken into consideration to decide the next round qualifiers, starting with the head-to-head record among the teams in question.It then goes to superior goal difference and then goals scored in those matches.Here is a detailed look at the group permutations ahead of next week's final round of games:Group ANapoli and Liverpool have clinched the top two spots with the Italians on 15 points and the English club on 12.
The winner of the group will be decided in the final match between the two in Liverpool next week.Ajax, on three, are almost certain of a Europa League spot ahead of their match against Rangers, who do not have a point.Group BIn a similar situation Club Brugge (10) and Porto (9) have booked their knockout stage tickets but the group winner is to be decided.
Porto host Atletico Madrid, currently in the Europa League spot, while the Belgians travel to Bayer Leverkusen, who are a point behind Atletico.A win or even a draw against Leverkusen could be enough for Brugge to win top spot.