Using a special algorithm, GOAL takes a look at the top performing players in the last round of matches in the UCL group stage
A thrilling UCL group stage has come to an end. The teams progressing to the round of 16 have been decided. Surprise package Real Sociedad have joined the likes of reigning champions Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona through to the knockout stages.
Meanwhile, the likes of Manchester United, AC Milan, Newcastle and Benfica have all gone crashing out of Europe's most prestigious club competition.
There weren't many shocking results, but there were more than a few eye-catching displays to round off the first round of the competition. With the help of the FedEx Performance Zone, GOAL takes a look at the stars of the UCL this week.
Getty4. Mehdi Taremi | Porto | 47 points
Galeno may have been the star of the show in Porto's eight-goal thriller against Shakhtar, but Iranian sensation Mehdi Taremi deserved a round of applause for his role in the victory. At 2-1, Porto's lead was a precarious one and Shakhtar looked capable of coming back into the crucial climax to Group H.
A piece of magic from Galeno saw Porto steal the ball and charge forward and he played a nice pass through to the 31-year-old forward, who still had plenty to do as he whipped a fantastic shot towards the Ukrainian team's goal that flew beyond Dmytro Riznyk to give the Portuguese side a two-goal cushion.
AdvertisementGetty3. Angel Di Maria | Benfica | 49 points
Already doomed to finish outside the top two of Group D behind Real Sociedad and Inter, Benfica were fighting for a place in the Europa League when they visited Red Bull Salzburg in Austria. Having lost 2-0 on home soil to Salzburg in the first game of the competition, the Lisbon team had a mountain to climb on Tuesday.
Luckily for the Portuguese side, however, Angel Di Maria was on hand to ensure they progress in the Europa League after the winter break. Di Maria wowed the crowd by scoring directly from a corner to open the scoring just after the half-hour mark before teeing up Rafa to make it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time. Benfica went on to win 3-1, securing third place in the group.
Getty Images2. Joselu | Real Madrid | 59 points
Real Madrid had already secured their place as Group C winners before they faced Union Berlin on Tuesday. The German side made it tough for their Spanish visitors, though, taking the lead through Kevin Volland after 46 minutes.
Berlin looked capable of pulling off a historic result, just as they came achingly close to in the Spanish capital on matchday one. Joselu, though, had different ideas. The veteran forward popped up with two goals to turn the scoreline around and send Carlo Ancelotti's team back en route to a perfect record.
Alex Kral brought the home team level again but, in typical fashion, Jude Bellingham set up Dani Ceballos to ensure Madrid got the three points and finished with six wins from six.
Getty1. Galeno | Porto | 81 points
There won't be many UCL performances that can top that of Galeno for Porto on Wednesday night! The Portuguese giants faced Shakhtar on the last day with a last-16 place at stake. A point would see Porto through, but they went through in style, beating the Ukrainian side 5-3 at the Estadio do Dragao.
It was all down to the dazzling display of 26-year-old winger Galeno. He kicked things off with the opening goal inside the first 10 minutes and then, after Shakhtar equalised, he restored his team's lead just before the break. The amazingly-uncapped star then set up two more goals as Porto found themselves 4-2 up before Francisco Conceicao rounded things off with a fifth.
