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Uefa Champions League Group H
2007-09-20 00:04:00
Arsenal FC 3-0 Sevilla FCArsenal FC gave Sevilla FC a sobering introduction to the UEFA Champions League as the two-time UEFA Cup winners were beaten on their group-stage debut in London. Emphatic successCesc Fabregas's deflected first-half shot set the 2006 finalists on their way before Robin van Persie added a second a minute before the hour and substitute Eduardo da Silva rounded off a fine victory in added time. While the Spanish side struggled to produce the swashbuckling form shown in recent Primera División and UEFA Cup campaigns, the Premier League leaders extended their home unbeaten record in the competition to 17 matches. Enterprising openingSevilla began tentatively, defending in numbers as the hosts dominated possession early on. Daniel Alves and Jesús Navas provided the visitors' principal attacking outlet on the right and the latter had the game's first meaningful shot, firing narrowly over from long range. Arsenal were in the ascendancy, though, and Van Persie stu...
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Champions League preview E-H
2007-09-19 17:16:00
GROUP ERANGERS VS VFB STUTTGARTHead-to-head recordCL: GP 16.09.03 Rangers 2 VfB Stuttgart 126.11.03 VfB Stuttgart 1 Rangers 0* Rangers, under-achievers in the Champions League , are looking for only their 10th win in 45 games. Their next goal will be their 50th in the competition.* Rangers have lost just one of their last 20 home games against German opposition and have not been beaten in three Champions League home games with German clubs.* VfB Stuttgart have lost on each of their last four visits to Scotland, the last to Rangers four years ago.* Stuttgart, who have won their last three away games in Europe, are playing a British club for the seventh time in their ninth Champions League match.BARCELONA VS LYONHead-to-head recordCL: GP 10.10.01 Barcelona 2 Lyon 023.10.01 Lyon 2 Barcelona 3* Barcelona, not just an attacking force, have kept clean sheets in eight of their last 13 Champions League matches.* Barcelona have won their last three games against French clubs, including a home...
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Uefa Champions League Group A
2007-09-18 23:32:00
FC Porto 1-1 Liverpool FCTen-man Liverpool FC came from a goal down to start their UEFA Champions League Group A campaign with a valuable point in the face of an early wave of FC Porto attacks. Entertaining encounterThe five-time European champions fell behind in the eighth minute, Lucho González beating Pepe Reina from the penalty spot after the Liverpool goalkeeper had felled Tarik Sektioui, but quickly levelled thanks to Dirk Kuyt's close-range header. Porto continued to look the more likely scorers but were unable to capitalise on the 58th-minute dismissal of visting winger Jermaine Pennat for a second yellow card, and next go to Be?ikta? JK on 3 October, when Olympique de Marseille are the visitors to Anfield.Porto pressPorto coach Jesualdo Ferreira had insisted his team were not underdogs, and they attacked from the start with a confidence that reflected that confidence. The visitors were unable to get out of their own half for the first five minutes, Reina saving from Lisand...
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Uefa Champions League Group B
2007-09-18 23:29:00
Schalke 04 0-1 Valencia CFValencia CF and FC Schalke 04 made their traditional starts to the UEFA Champions League group stage as the Spanish side recorded a 1-0 win at the Arena AufSchalke. Cool finishValencia had won their opening match at this juncture in all five of their campaigns to date while the German side had suffered defeat on both occasions they had reached this stage, without scoring a goal. Schalke recorded an unwanted hat-trick as David Villa coolly scored the game's only goal after 63 minutes. Asamoah missSchalke had begun in the ascendancy but Valencia seemed content to sit back, deal with the early crosses and long throw-ins that were being into their penalty area, and then attack on the break. It was as home coach Mirko Slomka had predicted before the game, which he was forced to watch from the comfort of the executive boxes as he served a one-match touchline ban. The home side had to wait until the 20th minute to truly worry Santiago Cañizares, when a deep free-...
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Uefa Champions League Group C
2007-09-18 23:23:00
Real Madrid CF 2-1 Werder BremenReal Madrid CF ended a sequence of opening day defeats in the UEFA Champions League by overcoming Werder Bremen 2-1 in Group C in their 300th European Champions Clubs' Cup game. Raúl Gonzalez delighted the home fans inside the Santiago Bernabéu with the opening goal on 16 minutes. Bremen levelled through Boubacar Sanogo, but Madrid retook the lead and all three points when Ruud van Nistelrooy struck his 50th goal in the competition 15 minutes from time. ChangesMadrid coach Bernd Schuster said before the match that risks would be taken in search of victory and his selection included some surprises. Marcelo was brought in at left-back to make his UEFA Champions League debut while Gonzalo Higuaín replaced Robinho. Javier Saviola was left out despite scoring his first goal for Madrid at the weekend. For the first quarter of an hour both teams played the ball around calmly with the hosts doing most of the probing into well organised Bremen territory.Goals...
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Uefa Champions League Group D
2007-09-18 22:58:00
AC Milan 2-1 SL BenficaAC Milan made an impressive start to their European title defence with a convincing win against SL Benfica that came thanks to first-half goals by Andrea Pirlo and Filippo Inzaghi, tempered only by Nuno Gomes's last-minute effort. Pirlo impressivePirlo's ninth-minute free-kick was no less than the artful playmaker deserved, setting the tone for a dominant Milan display. Pirlo was the central figure, setting up countless moves and providing the assist for Inzaghi's 24th-minute strike which capped the most beautifully crafted team move of all. Nuno Gomes halved the deficit when he touched Konstantinos Katsouranis's cross over the line with the last kick of the game. Milan rampantThe home side almost took the lead eight minutes in when Massimo Oddo launched down the right wing and delivered a deep cross which Massimo Ambrosini side-footed wide. The opening goal was not long in coming, however, as Kaká was brought down 20 metres from goal a minute later and An...
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Champions League preview Groups A-D
2007-09-18 15:46:00
GROUP AMARSEILLE VS BESIKTASHead-to-head record - None* Marseille's only previous tie with a Turkish club happened 39 years ago in 1968 when they went out to Goztepe Izmir in the first round of the Fairs Cup on the toss of a coin after winning their home leg 2-0 to tie 2-2 on aggregate.* Marseille, despite conceding just four goals in their last 11 European home games, did lose their last two Champions League matches at the Stade Velodrome.* Besiktas lost on their only previous Champions League visit to France, going down 2-1 to Paris St Germain 10 seasons ago. They also lost their only other match in France, 2-0 to Auxerre in the 1994-95 Cup Winners Cup.* Besiktas have failed to score in six of their last 10 Champions League games.PORTO VS LIVERPOOLHead-to-head recordUEFA: QF 8.03.01 Porto 0 Liverpool 015.03.01 Liverpool 2 Porto 0* Porto have won just two of their last 15 matches against English clubs but have never lost at home in 10 previous encounters, six of which were drawn.*...
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LA LIGA Week 3
2007-09-16 17:45:00
Real Madrid CF and Valencia CF warmed up for next week's UEFA Champions League matches by recording home victories against UD Almeria and Real Valladolid CF respectively on Saturday night.Fine free-kickArgentina forward Javier Saviola opened the scoring at the Santiago Bernabéu after 36 minutes, although Madrid had to wait over half an hour to double that lead as in-form Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder scored yet another fine free-kick. The visitors had Albert Crusat sent off before Kalu Uche gave them a lifeline by beating Iker Casillas in the 72nd minute. The crucial fourth goal went Madrid's way, though, as Gonzalo Higuaín struck with three minutes to go to maintain the champions' perfect start.German oppositionMadrid are at home again on Tuesday against Werder Bremen, while Valencia also meet German opposition in the form of FC Schalke 04. Los Che have six points from their three matches, although tonight's game looked like being a draw all the way until David Silva f...
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SERIA A Week 3
2007-09-15 20:27:00
AC Milan needed an added-time Alessandro Nesta goal to salvage a point at AC Siena and maintain the Rossoneri's unbeaten start to the Serie A season.Maccarone pouncesMilan started the game impressively despite Carlo Ancelotti resting Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Oddo and Kakà ahead of the start of the defence of their UEFA Champions League crown against SL Benfica on Tuesday. Still, it was Siena who took the lead when Dida failed to gather a long-range shot by Christian Bucchi and Massimo Maccarone reacted first to poke in the rebound on 24 minutes. Late dramaThe second half was all Milan, although a Clarence Seedorf free-kick which fizzed just over was the closest they went to levelling before Nesta did just that in the first minute of added time. There was still time for the Dutchman to drive another set-piece against the bar, but there was to be no further late drama. Juventus and AS Roma both have maximum points ahead of outings on Sunday against Udinese Calcio and Reggina Calcio.
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Bundesliga Week 5
2007-09-15 16:59:00
BV Borussia Dortmund had two-goal hero Mladen Petri? to thank as a 3-0 victory left Werder Bremen with plenty to ponder before the start of the UEFA Champions League.Fast startThe forward struck with neat finishes in the 22nd and 32rd minutes of Friday night's Bundesliga match, to add to the two he hit for Croatia in Saturday's 6-0 defeat of Andorra in UEFA EURO 2008? qualifying. In between, Diego Klimowicz was also on target after racing away for his third league goal of the season as Dortmund turned on the style at the Westfalenstadion. Schaaf concernAlthough Bremen were able to stem the scoring they finished with ten men after Danish international Leon Andreasen was sent off and visiting coach Thomas Schaaf will be well aware it was the worst possible preparation ahead of the trip to Real Madrid CF on Tuesday night. Victory would have taken Bremen level on top with early pace-setters FC Bayern München but instead they remain in seventh while Dortmund, with three straight wins, ...
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ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Week 6
2007-09-15 16:50:00
The Premier League leadership changed three times on Saturday afternoon as Manchester United FC, Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC were all involved in early kick-offs.Vidi? winnerUnited claimed their third consecutive 1-0 victory thanks to a late header by Nemanja Vidi? at Everton FC. A scrappy game was decided when the commanding Serbia defender connected with a Nani corner seven minutes from time. Everton's best chance came just after half-time when Andy Johnson's header was kicked off the line by Paul Scholes. United lost France defender Mikaël Silvestre in the first half when he was carried off with a serious-looking knee injury.Liverpool topUnited temporarily moved to the top of the table for the first time this season, only to be replaced by Liverpool on goal difference following their 0-0 draw at Portsmouth FC. Reds' goalkeeper Pepe Reina made a splendid diving save to keep out a Nwankwo Kanu penalty in the 31st minute. Arsenal were the star performers, though, as Emmanuel Adeb...
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UEFA EURO 2008? Group A
2007-09-13 00:23:00
Portugal 1-1 SerbiaA last-gasp equaliser from Branislav Ivanovi? denied Portugal second place in Group A and kept alive Serbia's hopes of reaching UEFA EURO 2008 ?. Sublime free-kickPortugal could have closed to within two points of leaders Poland with a victory and they appeared on course when Simão fired them in front after eleven minutes but Ivanovi? stunned the home crowd with an 88th-minute leveller to keep Serbia just a point behind their opponents. The home side made the perfect start to the game as Simão's precise free-kick, awarded after Nenad Kova?evi? had fouled Cristiano Ronaldo, found the target. Portugal pressureThe hosts had Petit to thank for preserving their lead after he produced a fantastic block just minutes later to deny Zdravko Kuzmanovi?'s goalbound effort. Then Nuno Gomes headed Bosingwa's inviting cross against the Serbia post and Maniche blasted the rebound straight at goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovi?. Ronaldo went close with two further efforts as Portugal...
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UEFA EURO 2008? Group B
2007-09-13 00:04:00
France 0-1 ScotlandJames McFadden's stunning strike midway through the second half gave Scotland a win in France that takes them top of UEFA EURO 2008 ? qualifying Group B.Scotland hold outThe home side had the lion's share of the play but could not beat the stubborn visiting defence. And just as they did against France in Glasgow a year ago, Scotland scored a timely goal for a 1-0 win, these results the only qualifying defeats for Les Bleus, home or away, since 1999. Scotland are now top and a point ahead of Italy, with France having fallen two places to third with three games left.Stout defendingHaving drawn in Italy on Saturday to stay in first place, France were clearly keen for a victory to move them to within sight of the finals. But despite dominating possession and territory, they created little in the way of clear-cut chances in the first half, perhaps missing the suspended Thierry Henry. Florent Malouda did force Claude Gordon into a save while Craig Makelele volleyed ove...
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UEFA EURO 2008? Group C
2007-09-12 23:47:00
Norway 2-2 GreeceTwo goals by Sotirios Kyrgiakos helped Greece's prospects of defending their Euro pean title in Austria and Switzerland, with a hard-earned away draw against in-form Norway. Kyrgiakos doubleOtto Rehhagel's side seem to be rekindling in qualifying the form that made them surprise winners at UEFA EURO 2004? ? the kind of form that eluded them when they missed out on last summer's FIFA World Cup. Twice the Group C leaders went ahead in the Norwegian capital through Kyrgiakos but Norway equalised on each occasion, through John Carew and a magnificent strike from John Arne Riise. The draw kept Greece top of a pool in which Turkey, Norway and Bosnia-Herzegovina remain in contention for the two qualification spots. Carew equaliserThe visitors started well, requiring only seven minutes to take the initiative. A corner by Georgios Karagounis was flicked on and Kyrgiakos was there to head in the opener. Norway immediately hit back and goalkeeper Konstantinos Chalkias did we...
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UEFA EURO 2008? Group D
2007-09-12 23:40:00
Czech Republic 1-0 IrelandA well-worked early goal from Marek Jankulovski gave the Czech Republic a crucial win against ten-man Republic of Ireland as Karel Brückner's side closed in on a place at UEFA EURO 2008 ?.Jankulovski joyThe home team kicked off with a three-point cushion over their visitors in second place in Group D and AC Milan full-back Jankulovski combined with Jaroslav Pla?il in the 15th minute to score what proved to be the only goal of the game. The visitors pressed for an equaliser, Kevin Doyle twice going close, but the dismissal of substitute Stephen Hunt left them with too much to do. A home game against section leaders Germany on 13 October is their next challenge while the Czechs face the same opponents four days later.Quickfire startThe Czechs were quickly into their stride at the Sparta Stadium, Libor Sionko's shot deflecting wide but a breakthrough was not long in coming, Jankulovski exchanging passes with Pla?il and skipping past Richard Dunne to drill in....
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UEFA EURO 2008? Group E
2007-09-12 23:28:00
England 3-0 RussiaMichael Owen scored two first-half goals as England's UEFA EURO 2008? qualifying recovery continued at Wembley with a 3-0 victory against Russia at Wembley that sent them second in Group E .Owen masterclassA scorer in Saturday's 3-0 triumph over Israel, Owen did not have to wait long to give further cause to proclaim his return to form when he drilled in the opener on seven minutes. He could have doubled the lead soon after but his 40th international goal was not long in coming. Just after the half-hour he applied an emphatic half-volley to Heskey's excellent knock-down and although Russia came back strong they could not break England's stubborn resistance, Rio Ferdinand rounding off the win late on.Barry crossSteve McClaren's team's preparations for this fixture were affected by the withdrawals of the injured Owen Hargreaves and Frank Lampard but if England missed the pair they did not show it. The man that came into the side, Gareth Barry, ensured a perfect ...
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UEFA EURO 2008? Group F
2007-09-12 23:21:00
Spain 2-0 LatviaA goal in either half from Xavi Hernández and Fernando Torres got Spain's qualifying campaign back on track as they returned to the top two places in Group F, level on points with Sweden. Key victorySpain had suffered a setback to their UEFA EURO 2008 ? prospects when they drew 1-1 in Iceland last Saturday, but Northern Ireland's defeat in Reykjavik played into their hands and Luis Aragonés's side took advantage with this victory in Oviedo. Xavi broke the deadlock on 13 minutes to settle the hosts' nerves and Torres's effort four minutes from time ensured Spain moved to 19 points alongside leaders Sweden, who have a game in hand, three points ahead of Northern Ireland. Xavi celebrationDetermined to improve on Saturday's showing, Spain began on the offensive and their efforts were rewarded when Xavi celebrated his 50th cap with the opening goal. Joaquín Sánchez delivered a superb cross from the flank and the FC Barcelona midfielder nudged the ball beyond goalkeep...
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UEFA EURO 2008? Group G
2007-09-12 23:08:00
Albania 1-0 NetherlandsRuud van Nistelrooy's injury-time strike gave the Netherlands a win in Albania that moves them to within sight of the UEFA EURO 2008 ? qualifying Group G summit.Romania showdownWith Albania down to ten men, Van Nistelrooy produced a timely effort to follow up the goal in Saturday's 2-0 win against Bulgaria which had marked his first competitive appearance since the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Now the Netherlands are level with fellow unbeaten side Romania at the top of the group, with the pair to meet on 13 October.Opening exchangesThe visitors had started brightly with Wesley Sneijder and Van Nistelrooy just off target in the opening exchanges. But Albania also enjoyed their share of possession early on and Edmond Kapllani saw his seventh-minute header blocked. Under pressureSoon the Netherlands were in command and Albania goalkeeper Arian Beqaj did well to keep out Van Nistelrooy's powerful drive. At the other end, Erion Bogdani shot wide from outside the area in...
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UEFA EURO 2008? qualifying Group G
2007-09-09 19:06:00
Netherlands 2-0 BulgariaThe Netherlands ended Bulgaria's unbeaten run in UEFA EURO 2008? Group G and moved into second place thanks to goals from Real Madrid CF duo Wesley Sneijder and Ruud van Nistelrooy.Vital winRomania's 3-1 win in Belarus earlier in the day had kept them at the group summit, as one of three undefeated teams alongside tonight's opponents in Amsterdam. So the eventual Dutch victory not only preserved their status but also lifted them into a qualifying position, two points above Bulgaria with a game in hand. Tactics pay offOranje coach Marco van Basten had opted for an adventurous three-pronged attack of Robin van Persie, Ryan Babel and Van Nistelrooy, the third-mentioned making his first competitive appearance since the FIFA World Cup. It was his club-mate Sneijder who broke the deadlock though, replicating his fine form for Madrid since his summer move from AFC Ajax with a 20-metre free-kick into the bottom left-hand corner, to mark a happy return to the Amste...
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UEFA EURO 2008? qualifying Group F
2007-09-09 18:51:00
Latvia 1-0 Northern Ireland Latvia picked up their second win in UEFA EURO 2008? qualifying Group F as Chris Baird's own goal proved a real blow to Northern Ireland's hopes of reaching a first final tournament in 22 years.Latvia prevailAlthough the visitors ? second in the group at kick-off ? were dominant, they could find no way through and an Imants Bleidelis cross forced Baird into his decisive error early in the second half. While Latvia are a long way from matching their feat of getting to the 2004 finals, Aleksandrs Starkovs' side are at least off the bottom of the group while Northern Ireland will try to win in Iceland on Wednesday.Healy deniedNigel Worthington's men made a bright start but Latvia did well to keep them at bay. On 26 minutes, Keith Gillespie forced a save from Andris Vanins and the goalkeeper then denied the leading scorer in qualifying, David Healy. The Fulham FC striker had taken his Group F total to eleven goals in the 3-1 victory over Liechtenstein tha...
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UEFA EURO 2008? qualifying Group E
2007-09-09 18:37:00
England 3-0 IsraelEngland continued their Group E revival as Michael Owen and Micah Richards scored in the second period to add to a first-half Shaun Wright-Phillips strike which secured a comfortable home win against Israel.Third straight winA run of three games without a victory looked to have left England with an uphill task to qualify, but 3-0 victories against Andorra and Estonia got their campaign back on track and once Wright-Phillips had volleyed in the opener, Steve McClaren's team were always in charge against visitors who had lost only one of their previous 18 competitive fixtures. Owen eased any lingering doubts with a fine second goal four minutes into the second half, his 38th international strike, before Richards headed in his first for his country to round off a dominant display.England on topEngland had been beaten by Germany last month but McClaren's side were quickly into their stride at Wembley Stadium and could have been in front as early as the tenth minute, ...
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UEFA EURO 2008? qualifying Group D
2007-09-09 18:25:00
Wales 0-2 GermanyTwo Miroslav Klose goals gave Germany a comfortable win in Wales that takes the Group D leaders to the verge of the UEFA EURO 2008? finals.One win awayKlose, captaining Germany for the first time in the injured Michael Ballack's absence, opened the scoring early on in Cardiff and his header on the hour to double the advantage was the very least the visitors deserved. They maintain the best record in any group having dropped just two points and are five ahead of the second-placed Czech Republic. Indeed, Germany go to the Republic of Ireland on 13 October knowing a victory would seal qualificationKlose strikesWithin five minutes Germany were ahead. Kevin Kuranyi raced forward from midfield and played the ball into the path of Klose, who produced a neat finish. Kuranyi broke through again in search of a second goal but was dispossessed by Lewin Nyatanga, before Thomas Hitzlsperger sent a free-kick centimetres over the bar. Kuranyi was then denied by James Collins as G...
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UEFA EURO 2008? qualifying Group C
2007-09-09 18:00:00
Hungary 1-0 Bosnia-HerzegovinaBosnia-Herzegovina's hopes of qualifying for UEFA EURO 2008? took a severe blow in Szekesfehervar as Zoltán Gera's first-half penalty helped Hungary to another victory against their Group C rivals.Under threatThe West Bromwich Albion FC forward was among the scorers almost a year ago to the day when Hungary triumphed 3-1 in Zenica, and Gera found the net again in the 39th minute today ? drilling his spot-kick high into the top-left corner after Róbert Feczesin had been felled by Ivan Radelji?. The win moved fifth-placed Hungary on to nine points from eight games, while Bosnia-Herzegovina dropped from second to fourth after both Turkey and Norway picked up points in later games.Impressive FülöpGera was not the only hero for Hungary: goalkeeper Márton Fülöp giving an early indication of his fine form when turning behind a Zlatan Muslimovi? effort. Radelji? was shown a yellow card for his part in the penalty award, although Gera's fierce strike was a mo...
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UEFA EURO 2008? qualifying Group B
2007-09-09 17:48:00
Italy 0-0 FranceFrance maintain the edge in UEFA EURO 2008? qualifying Group B after coming away from Italy with a goalless draw.France topLes Bleus had gained revenge for their 2006 FIFA World Cup final defeat with a 3-1 home win against the Azzurri last September, but in a tight game in Milan neither side emerged triumphant tonight. France are now one point clear of their visitors on Wednesday, Scotland, who have moved ahead of Italy by the same margin following their victory against Lithuania. Ukraine, where Italy play in midweek, are four further points behind.No quarter givenThese two evenly matched teams gave no quarter anywhere on the pitch, especially in midfield where Patrick Vieira and Gennaro Gattuso played with full commitment. It was not until the half-hour that there was a real chance at either end, as Alessandro Del Piero was denied by a Vieira sliding tackle and then shot at Mickaël Landreau after a one-two with Mauro Camoranesi. Buffon savesDel Piero soon turned pro...
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UEFA EURO 2008? qualifying Group A
2007-09-09 17:36:00
portugal 2-2 polandPoland's Jacek Krzynówek scored a late equaliser in Portugal to keep his team two points clear at the top of UEFA EURO 2008? qualifying Group A.Portugal deniedThe visitors went ahead through Mariusz Lewandowski just before half-time but Maniche levelled for Portugal five minutes after the interval. Cristiano Ronaldo then looked to have sealed a home win, before Krzynówek's fortuitous late strike rescued a draw and left Portugal two points adrift of second-placed Finland.Poland aheadAlthough Ronaldo and Simão caused early problems for the Poland defence, it was Nuno Gomes who had the first real chance on 26 minutes after a fine pass from Deco; Artur Boruc saving at his feet. A minute later, Ronaldo fired a stinging drive against the bar while Poland came close at the other end six minutes later, Euzebiusz Smolarek shooting just over. A minute before half-time, goalkeeper Ricardo parried Jakub B?aszczykowski's effort from the edge of the area but Lewandowski was ...
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LA LIGA Week 2
2007-09-03 19:38:00
Real Madrid CF fired a warning to their rivals that they are in no mood to relinquish their Primera División title as the champions won 5-0 at Villarreal CF to move top on a day which saw FC Barcelona pick up their first victory of the season.Madrid magicMadrid had to wait until six minutes before the break to open the scoring as Raúl González bravely poked the ball beyond on-rushing goalkeeper Sebastián Viera, yet it was a different story after the break as they added four more without reply. Wesley Sneijder curled in a sublime free-kick, Ruud van Nistelrooy slid one in from close range, Sneijder added his second with the outside of his right foot and Guti rounded things off from just outside the penalty area.Barcelona victoryBarcelona had Ronaldinho to thank as they raced into a 2-0 half-time lead at Camp Nou against Athletic Club Bilbao as the Brazilian scored on seven and 34 minutes, the latter a penalty. Athletic were given hope 20 minutes from time as Susaeta pulled one back b...
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SERIA A Week 2
2007-09-02 20:13:00
ROMA 3-0 SIENAAt the Stadio Olimpico, goals from Alberto Aquilani, Ludovic Giuly and Francesco Totti gave the Giallorossi victory over a battling Siena side.Aquilani gave Roma the lead with a super hit on 17 minutes, picking his spot and finding the back of the net via the underside of the cross bar.The 23-year-old - who on this performance is every bit as good as his reputation as one of Serie A's most promising players - nearly doubled his tally with an equally sumptuous strike on 36 minutes, only to see his effort cannon back off the woodwork.Roma struggled to put the game beyond Siena during the second half, but Giuly finally doubled Roma's lead with his first goal since his summer move from Barcelona with nine minutes remaining.The Frenchman slotted home from Aquilani's deflected through ball despite the Totti - the intended recipient of the pass - being in an offside position.The Giallorossi captain himself then sealed all three points with a typically accomplished finish i...
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Bundesliga Week 4
2007-09-01 18:39:00
FC Bayern München were the main beneficiaries in Germany on a day that saw their three nearest rivals at the Bundesliga summit slump to defeats, though Werder Bremen were victorious.Ishiaku impressesBayern face a thorny trip to SV Hamburger on Sunday but will journey north with their two-point lead atop the standings still intact after the trio of sides lying joint second going into the weekend - VfL Bochum 1848, DSC Arminia Bielefeld and Eintracht Frankfurt all lost. Arminia's high standing began to look the most incongruous as three goals in seven second-half minutes, including two from Nigerian forward Manaseh Ishiaku, saw MSV Duisburg bring them back to earth with a 3-0 triumph. Bremen riseBochum looked to be heading for a similar scoreline as they found themselves two goals down away to Hannover 96 after 36 minutes. Yet the visitors hit back, with Tommy Bechmann (44) and a Marcel Maltritz penalty (66) drawing them level, only for Vahid Hashemian to restore Hannover's advantag...
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ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Week 5
2007-09-01 18:27:00
Zat Knight enjoyed a dream debut for Aston Villa as he opened the scoring and then helped keep a clean sheet in a shock 2-0 win over Chelsea at Villa Park.Knight's header from a Gareth Barry corner just after half-time gave Villa the lead, and the hosts then defended superbly for the remainder of the game.Gabriel Agbonlahor then put the icing on the win as he deflected home an Ashley Young shot two minutes from time.To compound a miserable day for Jose Mourinho's side Didier Drogba then hobbled off injured in stoppage time.With Frank Lampard missing injured and Andriy Shevchenko once more left out of the Chelsea squad, Mourinho decided to go back to the 4-3-3 system that served him so well in recent seasons, with Juliano Belletti and Alex both given their first starts.The first 20 minutes of the match was played at breakneck speed with chances at both ends.Shaun Wright-Phillips was causing Villa all sorts or problems and Martin O'Neill's side were also having great difficultly d...
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AC Milan wins the European Super Cup
2007-09-01 17:51:00
AC Milan came from behind to defeat Sevilla FC 3-1 in Monaco and claim the UEFA Super Cup for a record fifth time on a night which served as a fitting tribute to the memory of Antonio Puerta.HonourPuerta appeared as a substitute as Sevilla defeated FC Barcelona 3-0 in the principality last year, and had tonight's game played in his honour following his death on Tuesday. It was to his team-mates' credit that they played with such verve in a first half which saw them open the scoring through Renato, only to be undone by second-half strikes from Filippo Inzaghi, Marek Jankulovski and Kaká as the Rossoneri added this trophy to the UEFA Champions League won in May.Kaká deniedRenato took just seven minutes to open the scoring in last year's defeat of Barça, and he had a presentable chance to eclipse that mark tonight following that rarest of things - a gift from Massimo Oddo. The Italy right-back fluffed an attempted clearance straight into the path of the Sevilla forward who fizzed a ...
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