Manchester United survived a scare to take top spot in their European Champions League group by beating Benfica 3-1 on Wednesday, while Arsenal also finished top in Group G after a scoreless draw in Porto.

The result in Portugal rendered CSKA Moscow's 3-2 defeat to Hamburg irrelevant, while Lille edged out AEK Athens for the runners-up spot in Group H behind Milan.

Benfica took the lead in stunning circumstances at Old Traffordon 28 minutes when Nelson thumped home a brilliant drive from 25 yards.

United drew level at the end of the first half when Nemanja Vidic rose to head home Ryan Giggs's free-kick.

Giggs was on hand with a header to put United in front on 61 minutes and Louis Saha's header 15 minutes from time sealed his side's progress to the second round.

Celtic endured a torrid start in Denmark, falling behind after just two minutes when Atiba Hutchinson nipped in to score.

And things turned for the worse on 27 minutes when former Chelsea winger Jesper Gronkjaer steered home from close range.

To complete the set, Celtic conceded a third goal for the third away game in a row in the competition when Marcus Allback steered the ball home on 57 minutes.

Celtic did claim a consolation through Jiri Jarosik on 75 minutes, but another meeting with a Premiership side is a live possibility after Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal all topped their groups.

Arsenal secured top spot in Group G after a 0-0 draw in Porto and that was enough to take both teams through in a game neither side showed any great desire to win.

CSKA Moscow forged in front on 23 minutes in Hamburg when Ivica Olic converted a penalty after Milos Krasic had been brought down.

But Hamburg, going into the game without a point from the previous five matches, equalised five minutes later through Besart Berisha.

The Russians went back in front on 65 minutes through Yuri Zhirkov, but were denied even a draw by Rafael van der Vaart's crisp finish on 84 minutes and Boubacar Sanogo's late winner.

Steaua Bucharest rocked Lyon after just three minutes at Stade Gerland when Nicolae Dica volleyed in from the edge of the area.

Lyon, though, levelled on 12 minutes when Alou Diarra was given space to head home Kim Kallstrom's corner to consolidate their position at the top of Group E.

Dynamo Kiev made the most of only having pride to play for after taking a 2-0 lead inside half an hour against Real Madrid.

Maxim Shatskikh guided the ball home on 13 minutes and bundled home the second goal on 27 minutes.

But Real rallied in the closing stages to claim a 2-2 draw after Ronaldo pulled one back and then equalised from the spot after being awarded a soft penalty.

In Group H, Milan had already clinched top spot and could afford to field an under-strength team in losing 2-0 at home to Lille.

Peter Odemwingie scored early, and Abdulkader Keita netted in the second half to take Lille through to the knockout phase

Anderlecht could only avoid bottom spot if they won and Lille lost, and for a long time the Belgians were upholding their end ofthe bargain.

Anthony vanden Borre put Anderlecht in front on 38 minutes and Nicolas Frutos added a second goal on 64 minutes.

AEK then launched into a spirited comeback as Vassilis Lakis and Bruno Cirillo scored within the space of five minutes, but the Greeks were unable to find a winner and must settle for the UEFA Cup.

(Xinhua News Agency December 7, 2006)