Chelsea have become the first Champions League holders to exit the competition at the group stage after Juventus beat Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0.
The Blues, managed by Roberto di Matteo for five of their six group matches, are also the first European Cup holders to be eliminated at the first round of entry since Steaua Bucharest in the 1986-87 season.
Rafael Benítez's side thrashed Nordsjaelland 6-1 at Stamford Bridge through a Fernando Torres double and goals from David Luíz, Gary Cahill, Juan Mata and Oscar but with Italian champions Juve needing only to avoid defeat the result was academic.
Chelsea Nordsjaelland
Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - UEFA Champions League(01 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Chelsea fans protest at the appointment of Rafael Benitez as Chelsea manager during the UEFA Champions League group E match between Chelsea and FC Nordsjaelland at Stamford Bridge on December 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - UEFA Champions League(02 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Chelsea fans protest at the appointment of Rafael Benitez as Chelsea manager during the UEFA Champions League group E match between Chelsea and FC Nordsjaelland at Stamford Bridge on December 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - UEFA Champions League(03 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Chelsea fans protest at the appointment of Rafael Benitez as Chelsea manager during the UEFA Champions League group E match between Chelsea and FC Nordsjaelland at Stamford Bridge on December 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - UEFA Champions League(04 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Chelsea fans protest at the appointment of Rafael Benitez as Chelsea manager during the UEFA Champions League group E match between Chelsea and FC Nordsjaelland at Stamford Bridge on December 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - UEFA Champions League(05 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Chelsea coach Rafael Benitez during the UEFA Champions League Match between Chelsea and FC Nordsjaelland at Stamford Bridge on December 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Chelsea's Brazilian defender David Luiz (R) celebrates scoring a penalty during their UEFA Champions League group E football match against FC Nordsjaelland at Stamford Bridge, London on December 5, 2012. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - UEFA Champions League(07 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Fernando Torres of Chelsea is congratulated by teammates Juan Mata (L) and Eden Hazard (R) after scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League group E match between Chelsea and FC Nordsjaelland at Stamford Bridge on December 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - UEFA Champions League(08 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Fernando Torres of Chelsea is congratulated by teammates Juan Mata (L) and Eden Hazard (R) after scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League group E match between Chelsea and FC Nordsjaelland at Stamford Bridge on December 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - UEFA Champions League(09 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Chelsea fans protest at the appointment of Rafael Benitez as Chelsea manager during the UEFA Champions League group E match between Chelsea and FC Nordsjaelland at Stamford Bridge on December 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - UEFA Champions League(10 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Chelsea coach Rafael Benitez during the UEFA Champions League Match between Chelsea and FC Nordsjaelland at Stamford Bridge on December 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(11 of47)
A Chelsea fan with a banner in the stands (credit:PA)
Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - UEFA Champions League(12 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Fernando Torres (2nd L) celebrates after scoring their second goal during the UEFA Champions League Match between Chelsea and FC Nordsjaelland at Stamford Bridge on December 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(13 of47)
Chelsea fans with a banner in the stands asking for a return to the manager's job for Jose Mourinho, in the stands (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(14 of47)
Chelsea's Nascimento Ramires and FC Nordsjaelland's Anders Christiansen (right) battle for the ball (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(15 of47)
A Chelsea fan in the stands holds up a banner that reads 'Jose Mourinho... Plz Come back Home (Chelsea FC) We Miss U...' (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(16 of47)
FC Nordsjaelland's Patrick Mtiliga (right) slides in on Chelsea's Victor Moses (left) (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(17 of47)
FC Nordsjaelland's Patrick Mtiliga (right) slides in on Chelsea's Victor Moses (left) (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(18 of47)
FC Nordsjaelland's Patrick Mtiliga (left) slides in on Chelsea's Victor Moses (right) (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(19 of47)
Chelsea's Nascimento Ramires (left) and FC Nordsjaelland's Anders Christiansen (right) battle for the ball (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(20 of47)
Chelsea's Nascimento Ramires (right) and FC Nordsjaelland's Anders Christiansen battle for the ball (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(21 of47)
FC Nordsjaelland's Joshua John (left) and Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic (right) battle for the ball (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(22 of47)
FC Nordsjaelland's Michael Parkhurst (left) and Chelsea's Fernando Torres (right) battle for the ball (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(23 of47)
Chelsea's Victor Moses reacts after a challenge from FC Nordsjaelland's Patrick Mtiliga (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(24 of47)
Chelsea's Eden Hazard (left) misses his penalty kick (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(25 of47)
Chelsea's David Luiz scores his team's opening goal from the penalty spot (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(26 of47)
Chelsea's David Luiz scores his team's opening goal from the penalty spot (credit:PA)
Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - UEFA Champions League(27 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: David Luiz of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their first goal during the UEFA Champions League Match between Chelsea and FC Nordsjaelland at Stamford Bridge on December 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(28 of47)
Chelsea's David Luiz celebrates after scoring his team's opening goal from the penalty spot (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(29 of47)
Chelsea's David Luiz (centre) celebrates scoring their first goal from the penalty spot (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(30 of47)
Chelsea's David Luiz (centre) celebrates scoring their first goal from the penalty spot (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(31 of47)
Chelsea's Fernando Torres (right) and FC Nordsjaelland's Nicolai Stokholm (centre) battle for the ball (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(32 of47)
Chelsea's Fernando Torres (centre) celebrates scoring their second goal of the game with team-mates (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(33 of47)
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech and team-mate David Luiz (centre) combine to deny FC Nordsjaelland's Mikkel Beckmann (right) a chance on goal (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(34 of47)
Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez reacts on the touchline (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(35 of47)
Chelsea's Gary Cahill (second right) scores their third goal of the game (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(36 of47)
FC Nordsjaelland's Joshua John (second right) celebrates scoring their first goal of the game with team-mates (credit:PA)
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Angelo Alessio coach of FC Juventus reacts group E Champions League soccer match against Shakhtar Donetsk at Donbas Arena stadium in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) (credit:AP)
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Sebastian Giovinco, left, and Paul Pogba of FC Juventus celebrates after scoring against Shakhtar Donetsk during a group E Champions League soccer match at Donbas Arena stadium in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) (credit:AP)
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Juventus players celebrates after Shakthar conceded an own goal during the UEFA Champions League football match FC Shakhtar Donetsk vs Juventus Turin on December 5, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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FC Shakhtar's Willian (L) vies for the ball with Juventus' Arturo Vidal (Bottom R) and Andrea Barzagli (Top R) during the UEFA Champions League, Group E, football match between FC Shakhtar and Juventus, in Donetsk on December 5, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Yaroslav Rakitskiy (L ) of FC Shakhtar fights for the ball with Mirko Vucinic (R) of Juventus during their UEFA Champions League, Group E, football match in Donetsk on December 5, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Olexandr Kucher ( R ) of FC Shakhtar fights for the ball with Sebastian Giovinco (L) of Juventus during their UEFA Champions League, Group E, football match in Donetsk on December 5, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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FC Shakhtar's Willian (L) vies for the ball with Juventus' Arturo Vidal (Bottom R) and Andrea Barzagli (Top R) during the UEFA Champions League, Group E, football match between FC Shakhtar and Juventus, in Donetsk on December 5, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Andrea Barzagli, right, of FC Juventus challenges for the ball with Eduardo of Shakhtar Donetsk during a group E Champions League soccer match at Donbas Arena stadium in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) (credit:AP)
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Players of FC Juventus celebrates after scoring against Shakhtar Donetsk during a group E Champions League soccer match at Donbas Arena stadium in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) (credit:AP)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(46 of47)
John Terry (front, centre) in the stands with his brother Paul Terry (left) (credit:PA)
Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Chelsea v FC Nordsjaelland - Stamford Bridge(47 of47)
Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez on the touchline (credit:PA)
Benítez, interim manager at Stamford Bridge, will now have to make do with Europa League football, a competition he has only experienced in the latter half of his final season as Liverpool manager in 2009-10.
Juventus' victory in Donetsk ensured their status as unbeaten group winners, with their opponents' qualification already secured before the evening's fixtures.