Soccer: Apoel Nicosia became the first Cypriot side to qualify for the knockout stage of the Champions League as they dug in for a goalless draw at Zenit St Petersburg.

The visitors came under intense pressure at a freezing Petrovski Stadion, barely registering a shot on goal as they set out for a point, but clung on to remain top of Group G.

Zenit could face punishment from Uefa for an incident in the second half which saw referee Felix Brych take the players from the field because of smoke from a flare in the stands, but they remain favourites to join APOEL in the last 16.

Apoel's Serbian coach Ivan Jovanovic hailed his team's historic achievement.

"This is a fantastic result for our team. Of course, we're a small team compared to many European giants but we have a big heart," he told reporters. "We have good players who try hard every single game and they also have a great desire to achieve something really important. I think these factors have been the key to our success on the pitch."

Three teams, however, could still top the group after Portobeat Shakhtar Dontesk2-0 in Ukraine.

Hulk gave the Europa League holders the lead after 70 minutes and a Rat own-goal doubled the tally in injury time. It means Porto and Zenit will meet in a showdown for place alongside Apoel in the knockout stages.

Czech side Plzenleapfrogged BATE Borisovinto third place in Group H with their hard-fought 1-0 win in Minsk putting them one step closer to claiming a place in the Europa League.

Marek Bakos' goal just before half-time proved to be the difference in a match which was shrouded in fog at the Dinamo Stadion.

Barcelonawill now top Group H after a 3-2 win over AC Milanat the San Siro.

The defending champions are now an unassailable four points ahead of the Italian side after a five-goal thriller.

Mark Van Bommel turned a low cross into his own net to give the Catalan side a 14th minute lead, but they were pegged back by former Barca striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic six minutes later.

After Alberto Aquilani was adjudged to have taken Xavi down in the box after half an hour, Lionel Messi scored from the spot at the second attempt, after his first effort was ruled out when he stalled his run too much for the referee’s liking.

The homeside were back on even terms when Kevin Prince Boateng controlled and finished exquisitely in the 54th minute, but again Barca struck back when Xavi latched on to Messi’s pass in the box and fired a third home.