Maccabi Haifa became the first team in the UEFA Champions League to finish pointless as they lost 1-0 to Bordeaux.
Israeli side set unwelcome record against Group winners
Maccabi Haifa became the first team in 18 years of UEFA Champions League football to finish pointless as they lost 1-0 to Group A winners Bordeaux.
The Israeli side also waved farewell to the competition without a single goal to their name, while an inexperienced Bordeaux side ensure they retained their unbeaten record.
The French outfit, who were completely changed from their Ligue 1 clash with PSG at the weekend, got the solitary goal through Brazilian striker Jussie after just 13 minutes.
Maccabi, who were already resigned to the bottom spot in Group A prior to the match in their home country, passed the ball around well but once again failed to capitalise on the opportunities they created.
Decisive
Tonight's result matched the outcome of the first meeting between these sides, when Michael Ciani's late header proved decisive at the Stade Chaban-Delmas in September.
Jussie put Les Girondins ahead with the first meaningful attack of the game in the 13th minute, latching onto Abdou Traore's cross from the right and stabbing into the roof of the net from close range.
The Brazilian went close to doubling his side's advantage two minutes later but saw his left-footed blast blocked by Maccabi defender Dekel Keinan.
Fernando Cavenaghi was next to try his luck for the visitors, only to see his fierce attempt parried by home goalkeeper Nir Davidovitch.
The Israeli side mustered their first opportunity midway through the first half, Bordeaux stopper Ulrich Rame dealing comfortably with Lior Rafaelov's volley from just outside the area.
Vladimir Dvalishvili then met Eyal Golsa's cross and volleyed wide as the hosts looked to restore parity.
Squandered
The equaliser almost arrived just before the half-hour when Rame fumbled a Rafaelov corner but Maccabi could not capitalise.
The Bordeaux stopper again failed to hold onto the ball when Rafaelov unleashed one from 18 yards but again no home player was on hand to take advantage and Bordeaux took their one-goal cushion into the break.
Rame had to be on his toes at the start of the second half to keep out a 25-yard free-kick from Vladimir Dvalishvili.
Fernando Menegazzo squandered a fine chance to put Laurent Blanc's side two goals to the good in the 49th minute when he could only direct his header over the bar from Wendell's inswinging corner.
The second goal did not arrive, but Maccabi could not muster enough to equalise as Bordeaux ran out winners once again.
| Maccabi Haifa |
Team Statistics |
Bordeaux |
| 0 |
Goals |
1 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
| 5 |
Shots on Target |
5 |
| 6 |
Shots off Target |
8 |
| 2 |
Blocked Shots |
6 |
| 4 |
Corners |
10 |
| 11 |
Fouls |
5 |
| 4 |
Offsides |
1 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
0 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 82.3 |
Passing Success |
77.9 |
| 28 |
Tackles |
33 |
| 85.7 |
Tackles Success |
75.8 |
| 55.4 |
Possession |
44.6 |
| 47.6 |
Territorial Advantage |
52.4 |
|
