LONDON (Reuters) – Less than seven months after celebrating a first Champions League triumph to satisfy owner Roman Abramovich’s thirst for continental dominance, Chelsea became European chumps on Wednesday despite a rip-roaring but irrelevant finale.

A 6-1 rout of Nordsjaelland at Stamford Bridge handed beleaguered interim manager Rafael Benitez some respite but it came with the unwanted distinction of becoming the first Champions League holders to exit at the group stage.

LONDON (Reuters) – Chelsea became the first Champions League holders to exit at the group stage after a 6-1 rout of Nordsjaelland proved irrelevant with Juventus reaching the last 16 thanks to a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.

A second-half own goal was enough for Juve to secure top spot in Group E and progress alongside Shakhtar, while Chelsea, winning for the first time under interim manager Rafael Benitez, are heading into the Europa League.

LONDON, Dec 5 (Reuters) – Chelsea became the first Champions League holders to exit at the group stage after a 6-1 rout of Nordsjaelland proved irrelevant with Juventus reaching the last 16 thanks to a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.

A second-half own goal was enough for Juve to secure top spot in Group E and progress alongside Shakhtar, while Chelsea, winning for the first time under interim manager Rafael Benitez, are heading into the Europa League.

LONDON (Reuters) – Big-spending Paris St Germain, struggling to deliver domestically on a huge investment by Qatari owners, showed they mean business in the Champions League by winning Group A at Porto’s expense on Tuesday.

PSG won 2-1 in the French capital thanks to a goalkeeping howler by Porto’s Helton who allowed Argentine Ezequiel Lavezzi’s low shot through his grasp. PSG and Porto were already assured of a place in the 16 of Europe’s elite club competition.

LONDON, Dec 4 (Reuters) – Big-spending Paris St Germain, struggling to deliver domestically on a huge investment by Qatari owners, showed they mean business in the Champions League by winning Group A at Porto’s expense on Tuesday.

PSG won 2-1 in the French capital thanks to a goalkeeping howler by Porto’s Helton who allowed Argentine Ezequiel Lavezzi’s low shot through his grasp. PSG and Porto were already assured of a place in the 16 of Europe’s elite club competition.

LONDON, Dec 4 (Reuters) – Big-spending Paris St Germain gave manager Carlo Ancelotti a boost by easing into the Champions League last 16 as Group A winners on Tuesday after a 2-1 home victory over Porto and Schalke 04 topped Group B.

With none of the three remaining last-16 places up for grabs until Wednesday’s eight ties, focus was on the battle for group supremacy and Europa league places.

CARDIFF (Reuters) – A shiner developing under his right eye as a final memento from 116 test appearances, Australia captain Nathan Sharpe said farewell to rugby for good on Saturday as he signed off with a 14-12 victory over Wales.

Still in kit and his eyes, the bruising apart, glazing over with emotion, the most-capped Wallaby forward reflected on his long career.

CARDIFF, Dec 1 (Reuters) – A shiner developing under his right eye as a final memento from 116 test appearances, Australia captain Nathan Sharpe said farewell to rugby for good on Saturday as he signed off with a 14-12 victory over Wales.

Still in kit and his eyes, the bruising apart, glazing over with emotion, the most-capped Wallaby forward reflected on his long career.

CARDIFF (Reuters) – Wales coach Warren Gatland said his embattled side paid the price for naivety as they again went close but ultimately failed to take a southern hemisphere scalp and end a torrid few months on a high.

Time was almost up at the Millennium Stadium when Australia’s Kurtley Beale took an inside pass from Dave Dennis and left a tired Welsh defence to score the game’s only try and secure a 14-12 victory.

CARDIFF, Dec 1 (Reuters) – Wales coach Warren Gatland said his embattled side paid the price for naivety as they again went close but ultimately failed to take a southern hemisphere scalp and end a torrid few months on a high.

Time was almost up at the Millennium Stadium when Australia’s Kurtley Beale took an inside pass from Dave Dennis and left a tired Welsh defence to score the game’s only try and secure a 14-12 victory.