UEFA Champions League 2018-19: 3 talking points from Group F's final day matches (Manchester City, Lyon, Shakhtar, Hoffenheim)

The Match Day 6 action in the UEFA Champions League 2018-19 season saw English champions Manchester City looking to seal top spot in Group G with at least a draw with German side Hoffenheim. Ligue 1 side Lyon battled it out for the second Champions League last 16 spot against Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk in tough conditions.

Barring a shock Hoffenheim victory over City, Lyon or Shakhtar were ensured of a Europa League spot in case they lost.

Let's look at the 3 major talking points from Match Day 6 of the UEFA Champions League Group F matches:

#1 Leroy Sane brace ensures top spot for Manchester City in Group F:

Manchester City have made a habit of starting slowly in Champions league fixtures and the trend continued against Hoffenheim as well. Aymeric Laporte gifted Hoffenheim a penalty which Kramaric converted giving the German side an early lead.

Pep Guardiola fielded a much less strengthened side owing to the injuries received to key players. This provided an opportunity for the other players to showcase their potential.

Leroy Sane scored twice in each half to hand Manchester City a decisive victory over tough opposition. Sane's brilliant free kick in the second half was enough to secure all three points and pole position for Guardiola's side in Group F.

Manchester City v Hoffenheim - UEFA Champions League

The hosts were unlucky as they hit the woodwork twice before Sane's brace proved to be the decider. With this loss, Hoffenheim finished last and were out of contention of the Europa League spot.

Guardiola described City's teenage midfielder Phil Foden as "a diamond" following the 18-year-old's performance in the Champions League win over Hoffenheim. "He is a huge talent. England have a diamond.

Speaking to Manchester City's official website following the game, goalscorer Sane said: "After training, I practise a lot and try to score some free-kicks. Today I just thought we had this moment, and I just tried it."

#2 Nabil Fekir inspires Lyon to Round of 16:

Lyon needed only a draw to qualify to the Round of 16 in the Champions League and a spirited performance from the Ligue 1 side saw them through. Though Lyon started the match with a minimal chance of beating City to the top spot, the French side's chances were left dangling as Brazilian Junior Moraes' clinical finish gave the Ukrainian side an early lead.

Nabil Fekir scored the equaliser for Lyon with a splendid strike in the 65th minute in a moment of individual brilliance. The goal from Fekir was exactly what Lyon needed to ensure a draw in snowy conditions as they held on to their lead till the end.

Olympique Lyonnais' Nabil Fekir - UEFA Champions League

Lyon have been impressive throughout their European campaign securing a victory over Manchester City at the Etihad and holding them to a draw again in the reverse fixture. Lyon are certainly a threat to reckon with for any of the other Group winners should they come face-to-face with Fekir and company.

#3 Shakhtar settle for Europa League as they draw against Lyon:

Shakhtar Donetsk's objective in their final Champions League fixture was to win over Lyon and get through to the next round. Paulo Fonseca's side were never in full control of the match from the start, but they did manage to get the all-important goal through Moraes in the first half.

Fonseca's side could not go into the next round of the UCL

Shakhtar were hoping to hold on to the lead secured in the first half, but a spirited and organised display from Bruno Genesio's men ultimately resulted in Fekir scoring the decisive equaliser.

Shakhtar will now have to continue their European campaign in the Europa League as they await their opponents in the Round of 32 clash. The Ukrainian outfit have to be more consistent if they want to go deep in the Europa League.