Champions League round-up: Bayern Munich reach last 16 for 11th season running — to ease pressure on under-fire boss Niko Kovac

BAYERN MUNICH eased the pressure on under-fire boss Niko Kovac by routing Benfica 5-1 to clinch a Champions League last-16 spot.

Arjen Robben and Robert Lewandowski both netted doubles as Bayern qualified from Group E with a game to spare.

Kovac was in danger of being axed following Bayern's 3-3 draw at home to relegation-threatened Fortuna Duesseldorf on Saturday.

And while fifth-placed Bayern are nine points behind leaders Dortmund in the Bundesliga, they eased into the knockout stage of the Champions League for the 11th season running.

Robben said: "I was really happy, also for him (Kovac). He belongs among us."

The Dutchman got the hosts off to a great start when he beat four defenders before curling in a beauty.

And winger Robben grabbed his second on the half-hour mark, again with his left foot, six minutes before Joshua Kimmich sent in a corner for Lewandowski to get off the mark with his 50th competition strike.

Half-time substitute Gedson made an immediate impact when he lifted the ball home over Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

But Lewandowski replied five minutes later with a goal almost identical to his first by heading in Kimmich's corner.

Franck Ribery, who was fortunate to escape a second yellow card for a flailing arm into Andre Almeida's face, wrapped up the win.

Robben added: "The goals were important for us, for the team. I'm not only playing for myself. It was important after the bitter disappointment of Saturday to stand up again."

Ajax earlier advanced from the group with a 2-0 win at AEK Athens in a clash marred by crowd trouble.

Bayern lead the group with 13 points, two ahead of Ajax, and cannot be overtaken by third-place Benfica.

Ajax host Bayern to decide the group winner on December 12.

In Group F, Taison sent Hoffenheim tumbling to keep alive Shakhtar’s last-16 hopes.

Andrej Kramaric’s stunning chip triggered the Germans fightback from two down.

The Leicester flop netted the last of three goals in four first-half minutes after Hoffenheim strikes from Ismaily and Taison.

Steven Zuber nodded level — but Hoffenheim paid for Adam Szalai’s red card on 59 minutes when skipper Taison crashed home his second goal and the winner in injury time.

Shakhtar must beat Lyon — who only need a draw — to qualify in two weeks time.

Plzen came from a goal down to beat CSKA Moscow 2-1 and the Russians now need something against Real Madrid to have any chance of beating the Czech team to a Europa League spot for finishing third.