soccer: Champions League round-up

[AFC1986]

credit: www.skysports.com



Manchester United suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to FC Copenhagen, while Celtic slumped to defeat in the other game in Group F and in Group G Arsenal were held to a goalless draw by CSKA Moscow.

Elsewhere around Europe Lyon and Real Madrid both booked their places in the knockout stages with 1-0 wins over Dynamo Kiev and Steaua Bucharest respectively.

Manchester United lost their 100 percent record in Group F as they fell to a stunning 1-0 defeat to FC Copenhagen.

Former Aston Villa man Marcus Allback was the hero for the Danish champions as he grabbed the winner on 73 minutes to give them a famous first victory in the UEFA Champions League.

In the other Group F game Benfica boosted their qualifying hopes with an impressive 3-0 win over Celtic in Lisbon.

A disastrous own goal from Gary Caldwell put Benfica on their way and another mistake from Caldwell helped Nuno Gomes to double the lead.

Substitute Andrei Karyaka sealed the win for Benfica 14 minutes from time to put qualifying back in the melting pot in Group F.

Arsenal endured a frustrating night at the Emirates Stadium as they were held to a goalless draw by CSKA Moscow.

The Gunners missed a catalogue of chances as CSKA held on to take a valuable point to keep them at the top of Group G.

Porto joined Arsenal on seven points with a 3-1 win over hapless Hamburg.

Porto broke the deadlock a minute before the break with a superb strike from Lucho Gonzalez as he fired a sublime volley from 25 yards into the top corner.

Lisandro Lopez added a second for Porto just after the hour mark with a clinical header, but Rafael Van der Vaart on his return from injury pulled a goal back for Hamburg a minute later.

Dos Santos Bruno Moraes wrapped up the game for Porto with a third goal three minutes from time.

Lyon maintained their 100 percent record in Group E with a narrow 1-0 win over Dynamo Kiev at Stade Gerland.

Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the game to give Gerard Houllier's side their fourth successive win.

Real Madrid joined Lyon in the next phase with a 1-0 win over Steaua Bucharest at El Santiago Bernanbeu.

An unfortunate own goal from Banel Nicolita gave Real the three points and Ruud van Nistelrooy missed a penalty as Real progressed to the last 16.


In Group H AEK Athens made history as they recorded their first ever win in the Champions League with a 1-0 victory ten-man Lille.

Lille always faced an uphill battle to get anything from the game after former Arsenal defender Stathis Tavlaridis was sent off by English referee Steve Bennett on 22 minutes for his second bookable offence.

The Greek side finally made their numerical advantage count 16 minutes from time when Nikos Liberopoulos found the breakthrough for AEK.

In the other game in Group H Kaka inspired Milan to a 4-1 win over Anderlecht with a superb hat trick as the Italian edged closer to qualification to the next phase.

Milan got off to a flying start with Kaka firing them in front on six minutes from the penalty spot after Alberto Gilardino had been fouled inside the box.

The Brazilian ace doubled the lead on 22 minutes to put Milan in firm control and Kaka completed his treble on 56 minutes.

Roland Juhasz pulled a goal back for Anderlecht just past the hour mark, but Gilardino putting the icing on the cake for Milan with the fourth goal two minutes from time

[Dark Drakan]

Cant believe we had those no hopers beat us