Andres Guardado, Hector Moreno Help PSV Into Champions League Knockout Stage

What a way to end the Champions League group stage (yes, we know the Champions League group stage isn't technically over yet): Anthony Martial and Manchester United wages a desperate battle against Wolfsburg while Andres Guardado and PSV waged an equally desperate battle against CSKA Moscow. 

Separated in the table by just a point, neither team could afford to lose, and what transpired was an insane ten hours of soccer.

Andres Guardado's PSV Or Anthony Martial's Man U?

Anthony Martial got Manchester United off to a hot start in the 10th minute.

Anthony Martial goal for Manchester United. Courtesy: BT pic.twitter.com/DksLzBY6nr

— Sportive23 (@Sportive23_) December 8, 2015

But United committed the sin of scoring too early, and Wolfsburg took advantage.

Video of Naldo Aparecido's goal in the 13' of Wolfsburg-Manchester United (1-1) : https://t.co/m1N2wEGnUJ #UCL #WOBMUFC

— SportyTrader (@sportytrader) December 8, 2015

Then they took advantage again.

Wolfsburg's 2nd goal scored by Vierinha. What a beauty! pic.twitter.com/g4fknxfrf5

— Home Bayern (@HomeBayern) December 8, 2015

When it looked like Manchester United were out, banished to the Europe league, CSKA threw them a lifeline, courtesy of an Andres Guardado foul in the box.

Gooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal (PK) CSKA Moscow.. 1-0! https://t.co/taJMnP6iGd

— Nina Romero (@Yanina_Romero) December 8, 2015

But, with the pressure on, Andres Guardado and company pulled the lifeline back before United could grab on to it.

Goool de @LuukdeJong9 estaría dejando dentro al @psveindhoven #ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/dVt8BtwwSS

— Fan Pro (@SoyFanPro) December 8, 2015

Then Wolfsburg threw United a different lifeline, courtesy of an own goal.

Unlucky own goal puts Manchester United level with Wolfsburg #UCLonFOX Watch: https://t.co/sLE30MCAkG

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 8, 2015

And then they pulled the lifeline in before United could grab it.

Wolfsburg get right back in it, lead Manchester United with another from Naldo #UCLonFOX Watch: https://t.co/1SGr9zZ89i

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 8, 2015

PSV's Davy Propper settled the matter for good in the 85th minute.

Davy Propper what a man! https://t.co/7q38PmhprH

— Dutch Football (@football_oranje) December 8, 2015

And so Manchester United slunk into the Europe League while PSV headed into the knockout stage but before they go their separate ways we'd like to thank them for one of the most genuinely exciting halves of football we've seen this year. This is why the group stage even exists in the first place.

Contact The18 Staff Writer Sam Klomhaus at Klomhaus@The18.com or follow him on Twitter @SamKlomhaus