F.C. Copenhagen reach Champions League last-16

F.C. Copenhagen ended 2023 celebrating European knockout football to come in 2024 with a 1-0 victory over Galatasaray to secure second place in Group A of the UEFA Champions League.

Lukas Lerager's tap-in secured the three points needed to hold on to the second qualification spot out of the group, behind Bayern Munich.

It was a tense night in a packed Parken Stadium with few guilt-edge chances for either side.

Kamil Grabara was on hand to deny Galatasaray on a handful of occasions, while Peter Ankersen and Mohamed Elyounoussi went close for the hosts.

Lerager's winner came on 58 minutes after neat build-up play down the FCK left. Elias Achouri found enough space to feed through the midfielder and he stayed onside to sidefoot home.

FCK defended diligently towards the end and shut out Galatasaray in front of Sektion 12. Lerager picked up a second yellow in the dying minutes and moments later the Lions defence successfully scrambled away a flurry of chances to maintain Grabara's clean sheet.

F.C. Copenhagen will be in the pot for the Champions League last-16 draw on Monday. Keep up to date with all the reaction from Tuesday's game and look ahead to the draw here at FCK.dk and via the F.C. Copenhagen App!