Napoli knocked out in a three-way tie

Napoli head coach Rafa Benitez moaned over the ruthlessness of soccer after his side became the first team ever to go out of the Champions League with 12 points.

The Partenopei finished joint top with Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, but missed out on qualification by just one goal in the head-to-head records, knocked out by Borussia's late winner away to Olympique Marseille, reports Xinhua.

"We should've scored a goal earlier, but we knew it was 1-1 in Marseille and we were afraid to push too hard in case Arsenal hit us on the break. The team gave its all and deserved both to win and to qualify, but that's football," he said.

Napoli's striker Gonzalo Higuain was in tears after Napoli's Champions League exit.

"We didn't get anything wrong. We had 12 points, just like Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, but still went out. It's the first time a team has done so well in the group stage and still gone out," he said.

"It's bizarre that we have been eliminated with 12 points when some teams can go through with just one victory," he said.

"Tonight we beat the Premier League leaders with a fine performance, played better than Arsenal and I am very happy with how the team played," he added.