MADRID, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Bayer Leverkusen booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League after defeating Real Sociedad 1-0 in Real Sociedad's Anoeta Stadium.
The German side's win means that Real Sociedad end the group phase with just one point from 6 games, while Manchester United's 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk allowed the Germans to leapfrog the Ukrainian team into second place in the group.
Real Sociedad received a warning after just 11 minutes when Gonzalo Castro hit the Real Sociedad post with a curling shot, although the home side continued to move the ball around well, all be it without creating chances against their rivals.
Indeed it was the German team that was looking more likely to increase their lead as first Rolfes and then Kiessling tried their luck before Antoine Griezmann saw a shot blocked by Bayer goalkeeper, Bernd Leno, who also did well to deny Imanol Agirretxe from the rebound.
Carlos Vela almost opened the scoring in the last minute of the first half, but he was inches away from getting a touch on a pass from Griezmann and the ball went clear.
It was Bayer who finally opened the scoring four minutes after halftime when central defender Omar Tropak took advantage of some comedy defending by the home side from a corner kick.
Tropak was allowed time to control the ball, step forward and lash the ball into the back of the Real Sociedad net.
Far from inspiring a fightback, Tropak's goal seemed to cause Real Sociedad to go into their shell and Kiessling saw a header bounce back of the bar before home goalkeeper, Enuat Zubikarai produced a stunning save to deny the same player.
Griezmann again went close with a header, although Leno made a reasonably comfortable save and the only remaining chance by for Real Sociedad saw central defender Ion Ansotegi head wide when well placed in injury time.
Meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo's goal in Real Madrid's 2-0 win in Copenhagen means he has set a record for the number of goals netted in the group phase of the competition. Ronaldo, who returned to action after missing two games through injury, scored Madrid's second goal in the game and ends the group with 9 goals to his name.