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UEFA EURO 2008? qualifying Group F
2007-10-14 03:56:00
Denmark 1-3 SpainRaúl Tamudo enjoyed a terrific return to international football to help Spain take a giant step towards UEFA EURO 2008? and effectively end Denmark's qualifying hopes.Spain soarTamudo, whose previous appearance came over two years ago, was only involved due to injuries to David Villa and Fernando Torres. But the RCD Espanyol captain made the most of his chance, scoring Spain's opener and then setting up Sergio Ramos for their second just before half-time. Denmark pulled a goal back on 87 minutes through Jon Dahl Tomasson, but substitute Albert Riera's superb debut strike secured for Spain the spoils in Aarhus. The win puts Spain on 22 Group F points, the same as leaders Sweden, who beat Liechtenstein 3-0, and eight more than fourth-placed Denmark.Ramos scoresSpain took the lead on 14 minutes when Andrés Iniesta crossed to the far post where Tamudo directed a looping header back across stranded Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sørensen and into the net. It was Tamudo's ...
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UEFA EURO 2008? qualifying Group G
2007-10-14 03:49:00
Romania 1-0 Netherlands Dorin Goian's goal gave Romania a narrow victory against the Netherlands which took Victor Piturca's side three points clear of their opponents at the top of UEFA EURO 2008? qualifying Group G.Opportunist finishThe FC Steaua Bucure?ti defender tapped in with 19 minutes remaining at the Farul Stadium in Constanta, capitalising after Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg had palmed out Paul Codrea's header. The win takes Romania to 23 points with three games to play; their next fixture comes in Luxembourg on Wednesday, when the Dutch host Slovenia. Cautious openingThe opening 20 minutes were a cagey affair, with neither team willing to commit men forward and both content to try their luck from long range. Demy de Zeeuw's drive flew just too high for the visitors while Cristian Chivu's free-kick flashed centimetres wide of Stekelenburg's right-hand post. The first genuine chance was carved out by the Oranje though, when Rafael van der Vaart's left-w...
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LA LIGA Week 7
2007-10-07 20:56:00
Real Madrid CF needed late goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy and Gonzalo Higuaín to overcome RC Recreativo de Huelva while FC Barcelona moved into second place in the Primera División with a 3-0 win against Club Atlético de Madrid. Patient leaders The capital club began the day a point clear at the top but ended it with their lead doubled after their patience was rewarded against Recreativo. Van Nistelrooy made the vital breakthrough with 18 minutes remaining at the Santiago Bernabéu and substitute Higuaín wrapped up the victory on the stroke of full-time. Villarreal setback Villarreal CF went into their match at CA Osasuna a point behind the leaders but they suffered a 3-2 setback in an eventful game. Giuseppe Rossi (19) gave the visitors the lead but it was immediately cancelled out by Juanfran. Dady (33) then put the hosts in front only for Diego Godin to again level within moments, before the telling goal came 12 minutes from time via Javi García. That slip let Barcelona in and the...
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SERIA A Week 7
2007-10-07 20:53:00
A last-gasp penalty from Adrian Mutu denied Juventus a win at ACF Fiorentina while AS Roma took advantage of that draw to move into third spot in Serie A with a 3-0 win at Parma FC. Saviour MutuVincenzo Iaquinta had given Juventus, who began the day four points behind leaders FC Internazionale Milano in second spot, the lead after 23 minutes and that appeared to be sufficient to haul them within a point of the summit until Mutu rescued the hosts' unbeaten league record from the spot in the 87th-minute. Totti doubleRoma leapfrogged the Florence side into third, moving level on points with Juventus in the process, after a comfortable victory at Parma. Francesco Totti gave Luciano Spalletti's side the lead inside two minutes and Mancini (20) underlined their advantage. Totti then added a third late on as Roma responded to their UEFA Champions League defeat against Manchester United FC in midweek. Late showUS Città di Palermo could have surged to within four points of the leaders but ...
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Bundesliga Week 9
2007-10-06 19:31:00
Promoted Karlsruher SC moved up to second place in the Bundesliga after a magnificent 2-0 success at FC Schalke 04, while wins for Werder Bremen and Hamburger SV hoisted them above Schalke into third and fourth place repsectively. Timm doubleTwo second-half goals by midfielder Christian Timm stunned Mirko Slomka?s side at the Arena AufSchalke. The home side had been hoping to close to within a point of leaders FC Bayern München, who play tomorrow, but it was their opponents who stole into second place after Timm struck on 68 and 83 minutes to seal a 2-0 win. Bremen and Hamburg also gained a place after managing away victories against MSV Duisburg and DSC Arminia Bielefeld. Bremen winDuisburg did themselves no favours by having two players sent off in the second half. Aílton had cancelled out Daniel Jensen?s seventh-minute strike (15) only for Pablo Caceres to receive his marching orders for a second yellow card (54). Boubacar Sanogo scored for Bremen within a minute and, after Blago...
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ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Week 9
2007-10-06 19:05:00
English Champions Manchester United FC went top of the Premier League for the first time this season after scoring four times in the second half to crush Wigan Athletic FC 4-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday. Ronaldo doubleTwo goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and one each from Carlos Tévez and Wayne Rooney secured United's sixth successive league win without conceding a goal and took them above Arsenal FC into first place. United have 20 points from nine games but Arsenal, who have 19 points from seven games, will reclaim the league lead if they overcome Sunderland at home on Sunday. Tévez breakthroughUnited, who had been struggling for goals this season, dominated the match against their near neighbours but did not make the breakthrough until the 54th minute when Tévez opened the scoring with a superbly-taken effort, firing low past goalkeeper Chris Kirkland. Ronaldo added the second five minutes later with a header after Kirkland had parried and the Portuguese international made it 3-0 (...
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Uefa Champions League Group A
2007-10-03 23:46:00
Liverpool FC 0-1 Olympique de MarseilleNew Olympique de Marseille coach Erik Gerets enjoyed a dream debut at Anfield as Mathieu Valbuena's memorable strike 13 minutes from time earned a deserved 1-0 victory against Liverpool FC in Group A.Sissoko errorA trip to Merseyside appeared a daunting proposition for Gerets as he made his bow on the touchline for OM following the departure of Albert Emon. But his side never looked overawed as they took the game to the Reds, eventually crafting a breakthrough on 77 minutes when Valbuena was teed up 20 metres out following a Mohamed Sissoko error, and curled a stunning shot past Pepe Reina and in off the underside of the bar.Cissé missingIt was enough to seal the points on a night that had begun with deluge of rain as Marseille's Mamadou Niang, operating as a lone striker after Djibril Cissé was confined to the bench, caught the eye. The Senegal international had the first real chance in the 12th minute when he forced a good block from Reina,...
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Uefa Champions League Group B
2007-10-03 23:19:00
Valencia CF 1-2 Chelsea FCChelsea FC put all their recent problems behind them with a resounding UEFA Champions League victory by the same score with which they removed Valencia CF from last season's quarter-finals.Terry spiritIn Avram Grant's first European match at the helm, Chelsea came from behind to claim their first victory in this season's competition, their spirit epitomised by John Terry who played with a face mask following surgery on a fractured cheekbone. David Villa gave the Spanish side an early advantage but goals from Joe Cole and Didier Drogba gave a real boost to the new regime.Chelsea unnervedThere was an immediate scare for Chelsea as Joaquín got away down the right and flashed the ball all the way across the area. From a tight angle David Silva shot wide. That was followed by a simple kick out for Petr ?ech which he sliced horribly; Chelsea were clearly unnerved in this noisy, steamy atmosphere and Valencia were in the mood to inflict punishment.Neat finishTh...
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Uefa Champions League Group C
2007-10-03 23:16:00
S.S. Lazio 2-2 Real Madrid CFGoran Pandev twice cancelled out Ruud van Nistelrooy's strikes to ensure S.S. Lazio earned a deserved point from their entertaining encounter against Real Madrid CF in UEFA Champions League Group C.Double apieceThe F.Y.R. Macedonia forward equalised after Van Nistelrooy's eighth-minute opener with an emphatic finish two minutes past the half-hour only for the Dutch international to restore the visitors' advantage a minute past the hour with a typically assured finish. Lazio would not be denied, however, and Pandev responded for the second time with 15 minutes left to give his side a second successive draw ahead of their games with point-less Werder Bremen. Madrid have four points and are level with their next opponents Olympiacos CFP at the head of the standings.Van Nistelrooy opportunismThe nine-time European champions provided the perfect answer to the barrage of noise that greeted their arrival . With just eight minutes gone, Wesley Sneijder bent i...
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Uefa Champions League Group D
2007-10-03 22:46:00
Celtic FC 2-1 AC MilanCeltic FC beat holders AC Milan 2-1 to earn their first points in UEFA Champions League Group D on a tense night in Glasgow. Late dramaYoann Gourcuff's own goal had given the Scottish champions the edge early in the second half but Kaká cancelled this out from the penalty spot. However, the match was decided in the 90th minute when Scott McDonald popped up to score from close range.Surprise factorCeltic manager Gordon Strachan had sprung a surprise by selecting Ji?í Jaro?ík for his first game since April with Shunsuke Nakamura among the substitutes having failed to overcome a knee injury. The Czech international was deployed on the left of a five-man midfield with Scott Brown given the extra responsibility of joining McDonald in attack.Kaká classMassimo Donati had been looking forward to the reunion with his former team-mates ever since the draw was made, and the midfielder showed his intent with an early drive which Dida smothered to his right. The last time ...
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Uefa Champions League Group E
2007-10-03 01:56:00
Lyon 0-3 RangersRangers FC sprang a major surprise with a stunning success at Olympique Lyonnais which ended a run of nine UEFA Champions League away games without a victory and ensured they kept pace with FC Barcelona at the top of Group E. Stunning successThe Glasgow club showed skill and endeavour to overcome Lyon, who have now failed to win in their last six European matches. Alain Perrin's men had slumped to their heaviest UEFA Champions League defeat in Barcelona two weeks before but few imagined a repeat of that 3-0 scoreline, even when Lee McCulloch opened the scoring midway through the first period. However, two goals in the space of five second-half minutes from DaMarcus Beasley and Daniel Cousin secured a memorable result for Rangers, whose last away triumph in the competition had come in 2000. Attacking intentWith Lyon having failed to score in three UEFA Champions League outings, coach Perrin made his intentions clear by packing the side with attacking talent ? Juninho...
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Uefa Champions League Group F
2007-10-03 01:47:00
Manchester United 1-0 RomaAS Roma avoided another embarrassment but they still left Old Trafford a beaten side after Wayne Rooney's second-half goal proved enough to earn Manchester United FC a 1-0 victory and a three-point advantage at the top of UEFA Champions League Group F. One goal enoughFor United, it seems one goal, rather than the seven they scored against Roma in April, is more than enough right now. This was their sixth 1-0 success in eight matches and it came via a player who appears to enjoy facing the Giallorossi ? Rooney driving in his third goal in as many games against the Serie A team after latching on to a Nani through pass 21 minutes from time. Given Roma's desire to make amends for last season's 7-1 humbling here and United's own early-season goal shortage, it was no real surprise that neither of the UEFA Champions League debutants between the posts, United's Tomasz Kuszczak and Roma's Gianluca Curci, was seriously tested in the early stages. Totti threatCu...
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Uefa Champions League Group G
2007-10-03 01:37:00
Internazionale 2-0 PSVA Zlatan Ibrahimovi?-inspired FC Internazionale Milano proved too strong for PSV Eindhoven as the Italian champions claimed their first points in Group G thanks to two goals from the Swedish international.MasterclassIbrahimovi? scored a 15th-minute penalty and a memorable header just after the half-hour. Then, following the dismissal of Cristian Chivu, the forward helped the Nerazzurri protect their advantage with a masterclass performance. It allowed Inter to forget the 1-0 loss at Fenerbahçe SK which had opened their UEFA Champions League campaign as they moved to within a point of the Turkish side. Figo roleAt the outset the hosts looked slightly tentative, mindful perhaps of their recent European disappointments. Luís Figo, though, took quickly to his central role in place of Olivier Dacourt, who had been doubtful with a groin strain. However, the first two moves he instigated faltered at the feet of Santiago Solari due to overelaboration. PSV settled first...
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Uefa Champions League Group H
2007-10-03 01:27:00
Steaua 0-1 ArsenalArsenal FC confirmed their status as the form team in Europe with a 1-0 win over FC Steaua Bucure?ti in Group H of the UEFA Champions League . Dutch class Robin van Persie ensured the Premier League leaders' first trip to the Romanian capital was a memorable one, scoring the only goal of the game at the Steaua Stadium after 76 minutes to make it two group wins out of two and extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 19 games. Tactical move In his first UEFA Champions League match since replacing Gheorghe Hagi, Massimo Pedrazzini attempted to counter the technical proficiency of Arsenal by fielding a side packed with his more mobile players, a ploy highlighted by his decision to leave the muscular Victora? Iacob and Dorel Zaharia on the bench.False alarm The Italian caretaker coach thought his injury-ravaged side had made the perfect start when Nicolae Dica headed a free-kick past Manuel Almunia, but the effort was ruled out for offside. Cesc Fabregas' spark...
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Uefa Champions League Day 2 (E-F-G-H)
2007-10-02 16:37:00
GROUP EOLYMPIQUE LYON VS RANGERSHead-to-head record - no matches* Olympique Lyon have won three of four previous games against Scottish clubs, all against Celtic, including both home games. The most recent was a 3-2 win at the Stade Gerland four seasons ago in the Champions League .* Lyon have lost only one of their last 19 Champions League home games - a 2-0 loss in last season's knockout round to AS Roma. But they are currently on a bad run overall with no victories in their last five Champions League games and no goals in the last three.* Rangers are unbeaten in their last 11 Champions League matches or qualifiers though seven of those games were drawn.* Rangers have won just one of their last 14 matches against French clubs but that was a 1-0 victory in Monaco in their last Champions League away game against a French club seven years ago. The Scots are unbeaten on their last three visits to France.VFB STUTTGART VS BARCELONAHead-to-head record - no matches* Stuttgart have lost th...
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LA LIGA Week 6
2007-10-02 16:34:00
A solitary strike from Sergio Ramos took Real Madrid CF back to the top of the Primera División on Sunday night while Villarreal CF and Valencia CF pushed FC Barcelona into fourth.Derby delightSpain defender Ramos popped up to score in the 64th minute as the champions won 1-0 at local rivals Getafe CF, the club formerly managed by Madrid coach Bernd Schuster. It moved them on to 16 points and ensured they restored a two-point advantage on Barcelona, who had won 4-1 against Levante UD on Saturday. Earlier on Sunday, Villarreal continued their magnificent run with a 1-0 home victory against Athletic Club Bilbao after Fabricio Fuentes struck the only goal on 62 minutes. Familiar faceValencia kept pace with Villarreal on 15 points after David Villa's early goal earned a 1-0 win in the day's late game at RC Recreativo de Huelva. Elsewhere, fifth-placed Club Atlético de Madrid maintained their fine form by moving on to eleven points with a 2-0 success against CA Osasuna. Raúl García cam...
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SERIA A Week 6
2007-10-02 16:29:00
A last-gasp winner from David Trezeguet earned Juventus victory in the Turin derby and moved them up to second in Serie A on a day when AC Milan were again frustrated.Late dramaFrance striker Trezeguet struck in the 90th minute against Torino FC at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino to lift the 'visitors' on to 13 points, just a point behind leaders FC Internazionale Milano, who won 4-1 against AS Roma on Saturday. ACF Fiorentina and Roma drop to third and fourth respectively and, while Juve go from strength to strength, European champions Milan continue to falter.Kaká penaltyThe Rossoneri had taken just six points from their first five games before the visit of Calcio Catania to San Siro and the draw leaves them seven points adrift of Inter. Jorge Martínez's header put Catania in front on 25 minutes and the visitors managed to hold out until half-time. Milan were level three minutes after the interval though when Kaká stepped up to score from the penalty spot after a Mark Edusei hand...
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Bundesliga Week 8
2007-10-02 16:26:00
Luca Toni scored the only goal as FC Bayern München won at Bayer 04 Leverkusen to move four points clear in the Bundesliga on a day which saw Werder Bremen plunder eight goals against DSC Arminia Bielefeld.Klose assist The Italy forward took his league tally to six in seven league matches since his summer move from ACF Fiorentina in the 40th minute. Franck Ribéry headed the ball to Miroslav Klose who held off Manuel Friedrich before teeing up Toni who made no mistake from four metres. Unbeaten Bayern now have 20 points from eight games, four clear of FC Schalke 04 who defeated Hertha BSC Berlin 1-0 on Friday night. Karlsruhe climbLeverkusen drop a place to fourth, with Karlsruher SC replacing them in third on the back of a 3-1 home success against BV Borussia Dortmund, Massimiliano Porcello, Mario Eggimann and Sebastian Freis on target for the home team. Bremen deservedly climbed three places as they warmed up for their midweek UEFA Champions League match against Olympiacos CFP by i...
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ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Week 8
2007-10-02 16:14:00
French defender Younes Kaboul rifled in an added-time equaliser as Tottenham Hotspur FC came from 4-1 down to draw an eight-goal thriller at home to Aston Villa FC in the Premier League .Two for LaursenSpurs were hoping to celebrate a victory on their 125th birthday, and started well as Dimitar Berbatov found himself free to nod in the opener from a corner in the 19th minute. Villa then wrested control as Denmark defender Martin Laursen struck in the 22nd and 32nd minutes before Gabriel Agbonlahor's neat finish (39) put the visitors firmly in command.Bottom threeThree became four as Craig Gardner picked a hole in the home wall to drill a free-kick from outside the box into the Tottenham net in the 58th minute, although the last half-hour was all Spurs as goals from Pascal Cimbonda (68) and Robbie Keane (penalty, 81) lifted White Hart Lane. There was to be even greater drama in added time, as Kaboul latched on to a loose ball following a goalmouth scramble and drilled a rising shot b...
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LA LIGA Week 5
2007-09-27 04:46:00
Two second-half goals proved enough to earn Real Madrid CF victory against Real Betis Balompié and send them to the top of the Primera División, though they were forced to work for their win as the Seville outfit hit the woodwork three times.Raúl penaltyOne of only two teams still unbeaten in Spain's top flight, alongside FC Barcelona, Madrid began slowly at the Santiago Bernabéu and could have easily been behind by half-time as Mark Gonzalez put a close-range effort over and David Rivas had a header come back off the crossbar. However, with 66 minutes on the clock the home side took the lead when Raúl González was impeded by Rivas and coolly converted the resulting penalty.Betis pressureBetis continued to push forward and the woodwork was hit twice more in a three-minute spell. First Mahamadou Diarra sliced the ball against his own bar before Gonzalez struck a stinging drive from a tight angle off the outside of the post. With five minutes left though, the result was put beyond do...
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CARLING CUP Third Round
2007-09-27 04:14:00
Michael Mifsud scored twice as Coventry City FC stunned Manchester United FC 2-0 at Old Trafford to knock the English champions out of the League Cup.Mifsud heroIt was the second season in a row that the United had lost in the third round of the competition to second tier opposition after being beaten by Southend United FC last year. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson selected a youthful side and Coventry, backed by 11,000 travelling fans, took full advantage of their inexperience to record a memorable win. Maltese striker Mifsud slid in after 27 minutes to put Coventry ahead before doubling the lead with 20 minutes to play.Chelsea triumphAlso in the third round, Chelsea FC defeated Hull City FC 4-0 to win for the first time under new manager Avraham Grant. Grant, who replaced José Mourinho as Chelsea manager last Thursday, included plenty of his seasoned internationals at Hull but it was 18-year-old Scott Sinclair who opened the scoring after 36 minutes with his first goal for the cl...
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SERIA A Week 5
2007-09-27 04:08:00
Zlatan Ibrahimovi? scored twice as FC Internazionale Milano won 3-0 at home to UC Sampdoria to move level on points at the top of Serie A with AS Roma who were held to a 2-2 draw away to ACF Fiorentina. Roma heldIbrahimovi? scored once in each half with Luís Figo adding the third for the Nerazzurri who remain undefeated after five matches. Roma too are yet to lose but after kicking off the campaign with three straight wins, they were held by Fiorentina to their second successive 2-2 draw in four days. Roma, who drew at home to Juventus on Sunday, soon took the lead at the Artemio Franchi, Mancini putting them ahead with a superb lob after 19 minutes.Mutu levellerTheir lead, however, lasted just five minutes, defender Alessandro Gamberini drawing the home side level with a right-footed volley off Riccardo Montolivo's corner. Ludovic Giuly added a second for the Giallorossi before the break only for Adrian Mutu to score his fourth goal of the season from the penalty spot with ten min...
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Bundesliga Week 7
2007-09-27 04:03:00
Miroslav Klose's superb start to the Bundesliga season continued on Wednesday when the German international hit a hat-trick to inspire FC Bayern München to a resounding 5-0 home win against FC Energie Cottbus.Bayern supremeAfter a goalless first half, Bayern burst into life shortly after the break, scoring three times against the Bundesliga's bottom side in a ten-minute spell to set up a comfortable victory. Klose broke the deadlock on 59 minutes before Martín Demichelis made the points safe with Bayern's second four minutes later. Luca Toni added the third on 69 minutes, his fifth in the league, before Klose completed the rout with his league-leading seventh and eighth goals of the campaign late on. Bayern have now scored 21 times in their seven Bundesliga matches.Leverkusen secondThe result lifted Bayern three points clear at the top of the table with Bayer 04 Leverkusen climbing into second spot after winning 2-1 away to second-bottom 1. FC Nürnberg. Stefan Kiessling made the ...
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LA LIGA Week 4
2007-09-23 01:36:00
Lionel Messi struck two goals in five second-half minutes to give FC Barcelona a fully-deserved 2-1 Primera División victory against Sevilla FC on Saturday night as the Camp Nou turned 50.Deadlock brokenBefore the game British architect Norman Foster announced a plan to redevelop the famous stadium in the style of Antoni Gaudi, but of more immediate concern for Barcelona was the late withdrawal of Ronaldinho due to a calf injury in training, not ideal against a Sevilla team with a 100 per cent record from two games. Renato hit the post with a header on the half-hour, but Barcelona had the better of the play and after Rafael Márquez struck the woodwork early in the second half, the breakthrough came with 17 minutes left. Thierry Henry found Messi, who flicked the ball up and volleyed into the net.Win secureFive minutes later substitute Giovani Dos Santos was fouled by Christian Poulsen in the box and Messi coolly converted. Frédéric Kanouté pulled one back in added time, but Barcelon...
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SERIA A Week 4
2007-09-23 01:26:00
AC Milan were held to a draw for the third time in their four-game Serie A campaign as Parma FC took a point from the San Siro, while Udinese Calcio moved into the top three with a 2-0 win against Reggina Calcio in the other Saturday fixture.Pisanu equaliserMilan began their UEFA Champions League defence in midweek with a home defeat of SL Benfica, and after Filippo Inzaghi hit the post on 27 minutes tonight, they took the lead late in the first half when the striker's shot was parried by Nicola Pavarini but Paolo Castellini's clearance deflected in off Clarence Seedorf. However, Parma equalised with 17 minutes left as Andrea Pisanu volleyed in Reginaldo's cross from the byline.Di Natale decisiveUdinese are now a point ahead of Milan - and two behind leaders AS Roma - thanks to two goals from Antonio Di Natale. The striker, who claimed the winner against Juventus last week, chipped Reggina goalkeeper Andrea Campagnolo on five minutes and showed excellent technique to control the ...
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Bundesliga Week 6
2007-09-22 21:25:00
Luca Toni and Franck Ribéry celebrate Bayern's opener at Karlsruhe (©Getty Images)Photos/Wallpapers »FC Bayern München returned to the top of the Bundesliga standings after an impressive victory away at Karlsruher SC while Bayer 04 Leverkusen also registered a victory on the road.Bayern topBayern, who were only able to get a 1-0 advantage from the first leg of their UEFA Cup first round encounter against CF Os Belenenses in Munich on Thursday, were in far more emphatic form in Karlsruhe as they continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 4-1 win to move two points clear of BSC Hertha Berlin at the top of the table. Luca Toni gave them the edge with just five minutes on the clock and they moved into control after further efforts by Miroslav Klose (21) and Hamit Altintop (50). Karlsruhe gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Massimilian Porcello pulled one back three minutes later but the result was put beyond doubt 15 minutes from time by Zé Roberto.Hannover helplessLeverkus...
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ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Week 7
2007-09-22 21:21:00
Avraham Grant began his tenure as Chelsea FC manager with defeat as Manchester United FC beat his ten-man side at Old Trafford while there were also Premier League wins on Sunday for Newcastle United FC, Aston Villa FC and Portsmouth FC.United go secondGrant took over the reins at the London club on Thursday following José Mourinho's surprise departure but could not get off to the start he would have been hoping for as champions United secured three points that moved them up to second in the standings. Chelsea were always up against it after John Obi Mikel was sent off just after the half hour and the home side made the most of the extra man in first half added time when Carlos Tévez scored with a diving header at the near-post. Substitute Louis Saha then secured the points with an 89th minute penalty.Newcastle successIn the day's earlier Premier League kick-offs, an injury for striker Michael Owen took some of the gloss of Newcastle 3-1 win at home against West Ham United FC. Mar...
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Uefa Champions League Group E
2007-09-20 00:29:00
FC Barcelona 3-0 Olympique LyonnaisFC Barcelona secured three points on Matchday 1 by defeating Olympique Lyonnais 3-0 thanks to a first-half own goal from François Clerc and further strikes from Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry. Stylish displayThe margin of victory barely reflected the verve and style of some parts of the Barcelona performance, although a spirited and well thought out second-half display from Alain Perrin's men gives them optimism for the remainder of Group E. Warning signsThe first goal had come with advance warning ? though that did not help Lyon prevent it. Straight from kick-off Barcelona played with fluency, menace and pace. As early as the sixth minute, a searing Eric Abidal run allowed him to play a one-two with Ronaldinho and then leave Henry within millimetres of applying a scoring touch to his cross. Then the left-back set up Deco for a vicious shot on goal which Rémy Vercoutre parried. Chances galoreThe torrent of chances continued. Ronaldinho and Deco wo...
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Uefa Champions League Group F
2007-09-20 00:22:00
Sporting Clube de Portugal 0-1 Manchester United FCManchester United FC again found Lisbon a happy hunting ground as they got their UEFA Champions League campaign off to a perfect start with a 1-0 win at Sporting Clube de Portugal, thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's diving header against his former club.Happy returnThe winger scored the only goal two minutes past the hour after United had withstood early pressure to give his side a welcome away victory in Group F, following on from last year's success in the Portuguese capital against SL Benfica. United will seek to build on this result when AS Roma visit Old Trafford on 2 October, when Sporting travel to FC Dynamo Kyiv.Sporting pressureSporting had overcome FC Internazionale Milano on Matchday 1 last season and again started with confidence against high-quality opponents, with the home midfield especially prominent in the early stages. Leandro Romagnoli's shot was deflected over and the industrious Italian was involved again when set...
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Uefa Champions League Group G
2007-09-20 00:14:00
Fenerbahçe SK 1-0 FC InternazionaleFenerbahçe SK produced a dominant performance to open their UEFA Champions League Group G campaign with a well-earned win against FC Internazionale Milano. Brazilian starsKey to the game were the performances of Alex and Deivid, the pair combining for the decisive goal before the break with Deivid firing in an acrobatic shot. Inter may have been depleted at the back but Fenerbahçe's performance could well have been enough to overcome the full-strength Italian title-holders. Inter pressed back Self-confessed underdogs Fenerbahçe may have been but they were keen to test a reshuffled Inter defence in which Colombian summer signing Nelson Rivas made his debut due to the absence of the suspended Nicolás Burdisso, Maicon and Iván Córdoba, and injured duo Marco Materazzi and Cristian Chivu. Júlio César made an important early save to tip over Mehmet Aurélio's header from an Alex cross and Mateja Ke?man only just failed to connect with an incisive ball b...
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