Manchester United and Real Madrid, with a dozen European titles between them, powered into the Champions League Last 16 on as in Russia holders Bayern Munich produced a record-breaking show in the snow.
Joining United and Real in the knockout stages of Europe's premier club competition yesterday were French champions Paris Saint-Germain with five sides - Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City - already qualified.
That leaves the identity of the final eight last 16 contenders to be determined at the final throw of the first round dice in mid-December.
United produced the performance of David Moyes' short reign as manager since he succeeded Alex Ferguson, who beamed down from Leverkusen's stand as goals from Antonio Valencia, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Nani and an own-goal from Emir Spahic left the Bundesliga side bemused.
"This is probably the best performance of the season. For us to come away from home and score five goals is really special," said Moyes.
"[The performance] was what I was hoping to get more often, there have been signs we are getting better but also signs we have been wasteful as well," he added.
United go into the closing group game against Shakhtar Donetsk as Group A leaders on 11 points, with Shakhtar up to second, three points behind, after a 4-0 win over Real Sociedad.
In Madrid, a fine free-kick from Gareth Bale set Real on their way to a 4-1 rout of Galatasaray which guaranteed them top spot in Group B irrespective of what happens in their closing group game.
The nine-time European champions' win was all the more noteworthy given they had to play the bulk of the game with 10 men after Sergio Ramos was sent off.
