'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2 Schalke claim second spot to recover from Bundesliga slump
Schalke had already secured their Round of 16 spot in the Champions League as runners-up in Group D, but they were looking to return to winning ways following their defeat in the Revierderby to Borussia Dortmund.
On the other hand, there was all to play for Lokomotiv, as a win over the German side and a favorable result for Porto in the night's other Group D fixture could see them head into the Europa League.
Schopf's late goal in stoppage time of the second half saw Schalke secure a victory, which ended Lokomotiv Moscow's chances of securing European football in the new year. The victory is not important in terms of the Champions League standings, but will surely be a morale booster for the German side as they look to improve upon their performances in the Bundesliga.
With a Round of 16 clash now guaranteed, Schalke will look to regroup and come back stronger next year in Europe. For now, they are headed for a Bundesliga clash against Augsburg this weekend.
