Champions League round-up

Liverpool crashed out of the UEFA Champions League and Rangers tumbled out of Europe completely as Arsenal cruised into the last 16.

A 1-0 win away to Debrecen proved in vain for Liverpool as Fiorentina joined Lyon in the knockout stages after beating the French champions at home by the same scoreline.

Rangers are also out of the competition after Walter Smith's side suffered another defeat on home turf at Ibrox after being beaten 2-0 by Stuttgart.

But Arsenal made light work of picking up the point they needed to progress as first-half goals from Samir Nasri and Denilson clinched a home win over Standard Liege.

David Ngog's early goal earned Liverpool a 1-0 win away to Debrecen, but it served only to confirm the 2005 European champions' place in the Europa League in the New Year.

Liverpool enjoyed a dream start in Hungary by taking the lead after just four minutes when Ngog flicked the ball home from close range after Jamie Carragher had headed Fabio Aurelio's cross into the six-yard box.

The five-time European Cup winners had numerous chances to make certain of the points and were almost made to pay for their profligacy when Debrecen substitute Adamo Coulibaly was denied by Pepe Reina in injury-time.

Fiorentina clinched their place in the next round as Juan Vargas' first-half penalty sealed a 1-0 home success over Lyon, who had already qualified for the last 16.

Mario Santana and Alberto Gilardino were both denied early on by the post for Fiorentina, who took the lead from the penalty spot on 29 minutes.

Marco Marchionni's run into the area was halted by a clumsy challenge from Lyon full-back Aly Cissokho and Vargas rammed home from 12 yards.

Needing only a point to be certain of going through, Arsenal took the chance to display their dominance of Group H with a 2-0 triumph over Standard Liege at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal capitalised on a Liege error to go in front on 35 minutes through Samir Nasri's cool finish after Landry Mulemo had slipped when trying to intercept a long ball.

And the lead was doubled in first-half stoppage-time when Denilson's swerving effort from 35 yards flew past Liege keeper Sinan Bolat.

Liege finished the match with 10 men when Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez was shown a straight red card a few minutes from the end for an attempted butt on Cesc Fabregas.

Olympiakos edged a step closer to joining Arsenal in the last 16 after a 0-0 draw away to AZ Alkmaar in an uneventful encounter.

Rangers' European adventure is over for another season after a lacklustre performance contributed to a 2-0 defeat by Stuttgart at Ibrox.

Rangers fell behind after just 16 minutes when Alexander Hleb's pull-back was mis-kicked by Pavel Pogrebnyak into the path of Sebastian Rudy to slot home.

There was a reprieve for the Gers just moments later, though, when Zdravko Kuzmanovic's deep free-kick missed everyone on its way inside the post, only for the flag to go up for offside against Matthieu Delpierre.

Kris Boyd headed a golden opportunity over for Rangers before Stuttgart made it 2-0 just before the hour when Rudy turned provider to cross for the unmarked Kuzmanovic to plant his header past Allan McGregor.

Unirea Urziceni boosted their prospects of reaching the knockout phase after a 1-0 home win over already-qualified Sevilla.

Fredi Kanoute and Alvaro Negredo were both thwarted by the woodwork for Sevilla before Unirea took the lead in comical fashion in the 45th minute.

A long free-kick into the area by Pablo Brandan appeared to pose little threat until Ivica Dragutinovic, under no pressure, headed the ball past his helpless keeper Javi Varas.

With Sevilla already in the last 16, Unirea can advance with the Spanish club if they avoid defeat away to Stuttgart in their final group game.

Barcelona moved top of Group F after producing a dominant performance to beat Inter Milan 2-0 at Camp Nou.

The reigning champions grabbed the lead after just 10 minutes when Gerard Pique steered the ball home at the far post after Xavi's corner from the left had been flicked on.

A superb team goal allowed Barca to extend their advantage on 26 minutes when Pedro scuffed home at the far post after an exquisite pass from Andres Iniesta created space for Dani Alves to cross.

Earlier, Rubin Kazan and Dynamo Kiev battled to a 0-0 draw in Russia, with both teams still in with a shout of reaching the last 16.

Rubin came closest to snatching all three points late in the first half when Alejandro Dominguez's scissor kick was brilliantly kept out by Dynamo keeper Oleksandr Shovkovskiy.